#7 Vols Hold Three-Stroke Lead at Cullan Brown Collegiate

Monday, October 5

Lexington, Ky.

University of Tennessee

Cullan Brown Collegiate - Rounds 1 & 2

Results

#7 Vols Hold Three-Stroke Lead at Cullan Brown Collegiate

October 05, 2026 | Men's Golf

Results

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The No. 7 Tennessee men's golf team began its third tournament of the Fall season on Monday at the Cullan Brown Collegiate. The opening 36 holes were slated to be played on Monday, but play was suspended due to darkness with a handful of holes remaining in round two.

The Vols opened the event with a 2-under-par 282 in round one, plotting the team in third place among the field of 15 through the opening 18 holes. Tennessee picked up the pace in round two, grabbing a three-stroke lead atop the team standings at the stoppage of play. The Vols are currently 6-under-par in round two, putting the team at 8-under-par overall. Mississippi State and Kentucky are the only other teams under par as the pair is tied for second place at 5-under-par.

Through one day of action, seven of the eight Vol golfers in the 88-player field sit in the top 20, including five tied for 17^th place at 1-under-par.

Tennessee was led on day one by Christian Pardue, who fired a 3-under-par 68 in round one featuring five birdies. Through 15 holes in round two, Pardue is 1-under-par without a bogey. At a team-best 4-under-par overall, the junior is in fourth place ahead of the resumption of round two on Tuesday.

Jackson Herrington is tied for 12^th place individually through 15 holes in the second round. After posting an even-par 71 to open the day, he is 2-under-par through 15 holes in round two, which he began with three birdies on his opening six holes. Herrington's 2-under-par mark is the second-best among the eight Vols competing at the conclusion of day one.

Among the Vols tied for 17^th place at 1-under-par is Tyler Watts, who made his long-awaited Tennessee debut on Monday. The freshman, who currently sits at No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, began the day with a 1-over-par 72. His play improved in the second round as Watts is 2-under-par through 15 holes.

Pennson Badgett is the other Vol in the team lineup tied for 17^th place at 1-under-par. Also a freshman, Badgett opened the tournament with an even-par 71. He has tallied five birdies through 16 holes in round two to sit at 1-under-par.

Bruce Murphy, Luke Smith, and Chase Kyes are each competing as individuals outside of the team lineup this week. At the time of stoppage in round two, the trio each hold an overall mark of 1-under-par, tied with Watts and Badgett for 17^th place. Kyes impressed with a 3-under-par 68 in round one, while Murphy sits bogey-free at 3-under-par with two holes remaining in his second round.

Round two of the Cullan Brown Collegiate is set to resume at 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday. The third and final round will begin shortly after the conclusion of round two.

Cullan Brown Collegiate Standings (Play Suspended in Round Two)
1. Tennessee (-8)
T-2. Mississippi State (-5)
T-2. Kentucky (-5)
4. Memphis (+2)
5. Cincinnati (+3)
T-6. Xavier (+4)
T-6. Western Kentucky (+4)
T-6. NC State (+4)
9. Iowa State (+7)
10. VCU (+10)
11. West Florida (+12)
12. Penn State (+15)
13. Kennesaw State (+16)
14. North Alabama (+22)
15. Eastern Kentucky (+39)

Tennessee Results (Play Suspended in Round Two)
4. Christian Pardue: 68 – 1-under through 15 (-4)
T-12. Jackson Herrington: 71 – 2-under through 15 (-2)
T-17. Tyler Watts: 72 – 2-under through 15 (-1)
T-17. Pennson Badgett: 71 – 1-under through 16 (-1)
T-17. Bruce Murphy (i): 73 – 3-under through 16 (-1)
T-17. Luke Smith (i): 70 – even through 14 (-1)
T-17. Chase Kyes (i): 68 – 2-over through 16 (-1)