#15/16 Vols Hold Three-Stroke Lead at Pauma Valley Invitational

Monday, March 16

Pauma Valley, Calif.

University of Tennessee

Pauma Valley Collegiate - Round 1

Photo by: Darren Carroll

#15/16 Vols Hold Three-Stroke Lead at Pauma Valley Invitational

March 16, 2026 | Men's Golf

Results

PAUMA VALLEY, Calif. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee men's golf team got off to a strong start in its third tournament of the spring season on Monday at the Pauma Valley Invitational.

The Vols hold a three-stroke advantage atop the 16-team leader board at Pauma Valley Country Club after firing an 11-under-par 273 in round one, the team's second-lowest score overall and fourth-lowest score to par in a round this season.

No. 13 Ole Miss is in second place at 8-under-par, while No. 7 Oklahoma State rounds out the top three at 5-under-par. Notably, the Vols hold an 18-hole lead over a field consisting of six top-ten opponents.

Lance Simpson returned to form on Monday, showcasing why he is one of the most prolific seniors in the nation with a 5-under-par 66 in round one, matching his low round for the season. After starting at hole No. 10, Simpson tallied three birdies to just one bogey on his first nine holes of the day, before an eagle at hole No. 2 fueled a bogey-free 3-under-par final nine holes. Through 18 holes of play, Simpson trails two golfers tied for the individual lead by just one stroke, as the Knoxville native is tied for third place among the 92 golfers competing.

Not far behind Simpson was Chase Kyes, who continued a hot start to the spring with a 4-under-par 67 in round one, his fifth round in the 60s out of six official rounds completed since the new year. The freshman began his day with a birdie at hole no. 10, before running into a double bogey at hole No. 14 and a bogey at hole No. 15. Kyes bounced back in emphatic fashion, carding birdies on five of his next seven holes en route to a final tally of seven birdies on the day. Two strokes behind the individual lead, Kyes is tied for sixth place ahead of tomorrow's second round.

Another Tennessee golfer who continued positive momentum on Monday was Jackson Herrington, as he fired a 2-under-par 69 to open the Pauma Valley Invitational. After canceling out two birdies with two bogeys on his opening nine holes, the sophomore carded a bogey-free 2-under-par second nine to wrap up the day. Coming off a top-ten finish in his last outing at the Cabo Collegiate, Herrington is tied for 12^th place after round one at Pauma Valley Country Club.

Luke Smith rounded out the countable scores for Tennessee on Monday with the fourth round of even-par or better by a Volunteer. The Canadian freshman posted an even-par 71 in the tournament's opening round, fighting back from bogey troubles with back-to-back birdies on his final two holes of the day. Smith is tied for 27^th place with 36 holes remaining in the event.

The Volunteers will look to build on a strong start as the Pauma Valley Invitational continues with round two on Tuesday. Tennessee's tee times are set to begin at 12:05 p.m. EST from hole No. 1 at Pauma Valley Country Club.

Pauma Valley Invitational Standings (Round One)
1. Tennessee (-11)
2. Ole Miss (-8)
3. Oklahoma State (-5)
4. Georgia Tech (-4)
5. SMU (-3)
T-6. Texas Tech (-1)
T-6. LSU (-1)
8. San Diego (E)
T-9. San Diego State (+1)
T-9. Florida (+1)
T-11. Illinois (+3)
T-11. Virginia (+3)
13. Toledo (+6)
14. East Tennessee State (+8)
T-15. Colorado State (+9)
T-15. Loyola Marymount (+9)

Tennessee Results (Round One)
T-3. Lance Simpson: 66 (-5)
T-6. Chase Kyes: 67 (-4)
T-12. Jackson Herrington: 69 (-2)
T-27. Luke Smith: 71 (E)
T-38. Josh Hill: 72 (+1)
T-49. Reed Lotter (i): 73 (+2)