University of Tennessee Athletics
Wednesday, March 18
Pauma Valley, Calif.
University of Tennessee
vs
Pauma Valley Collegiate - Round 3
#15/16 Vols, Simpson Claim Victory at Pauma Valley Invitational
March 18, 2026 | Men's Golf
PAUMA VALLEY, Calif. – The No. 15/16 Tennessee men's golf team made a statement at this week's Pauma Valley Invitational, tying for the team championship atop a field consisting of eight top 15 teams.
The Vols fired a 5-under-par 279 during Wednesday's third round to close the event at 16-under-par, tied with No. 20 Georgia Tech for first place. No. 3 Florida and No. 6 LSU tied for third place at 13-under-par, as No. 7 Oklahoma State rounded out the top five at 8-under-par. No. 2 Virginia and No. 9 Illinois tied for sixth place at 6-under-par.
For Tennessee, the victory over the stacked field is the team's second win of the season and the 13th win of the Brennan Webb era. It marks the 21st season in Tennessee men's golf history with multiple tournament wins.
The team wasn't the only victor on Wednesday afternoon at Pauma Valley Country Club. Lance Simpson claimed the first individual title of his prestigious collegiate career, closing the Pauma Valley Invitational tied atop the 92-golfer field at 10-under-par. The senior fired a 2-under-par 69 in round three for his third consecutive round in the 60s to claim medalist honors. Simpson carded five birdies on the day to maintain his spot atop the standings.
Jackson Herrington notched his second consecutive top 15 finish, closing the Pauma Valley Invitational at 3-under-par. The sophomore, who will make his next official appearance at the 2026 Masters Tournament, posted a 1-over-par 72 in round three to tie for 14th place. Four birdies in the final ten holes for Herrington were key to securing the team victory for Tennessee.
The low score in round three for the Vols was recorded by Josh Hill, who entered the clubhouse with a 3-under-par 68. A clean-cut round saw the senior post four birdies to just one bogey as he improved to 1-under-par overall on the final day. Hill's round three effort saw him climb 22 spots individually to a final tie for 22nd place.
After a frustrating round two, Luke Smith bounced back with an important 1-under-par 70 in round three to help Tennessee claim a share of the team championship at the Pauma Valley Invitational. The freshman tallied three birdies on the front nine, before highlighting his day with an eagle at hole No. 10. Smith closed the event tied for 65th place at 6-over-par.
Competing as an individual, Reed Lotter earned top 30 honors with an even-par finish overall after carding an even-par 71 on Wednesday. The senior closed the tournament tied for 29th place. Additionally, Chase Kyes tied for 41st place at 2-over-par overall after firing a 2-over-par 73 in round three.
With plenty of momentum behind them, the Vols have two more spring events remaining before postseason golf tees off at the SEC Championships. Tennessee will next return to action at the Mason Rudolph Championship, slated for April 3-5 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Pauma Valley Invitational Standings (Final)
T-1. Tennessee (-16)
T-1. Georgia Tech (-16)
T-3. LSU (-13)
T-3. Florida (-13)
5. Oklahoma State (-8)
T-6. Virginia (-6)
T-6. Illinois (-6)
8. SMU (-5)
9. Ole Miss (+1)
10. Texas Tech (+3)
11. East Tennessee State (+5)
12. San Diego State (+8)
13. San Diego (+10)
T-14. Toledo (+13)
T-14. Loyola Marymount (+13)
16. Colorado State (+31)
Tennessee Results (Final)
T-1. Lance Simpson: 66-68-69 = 203 (-10)
T-14. Jackson Herrington: 69-69-72 = 210 (-3)
T-22. Josh Hill: 72-72-68 = 212 (-1)
T-29. Reed Lotter (i): 73-69-71 = 213 (E)
T-41. Chase Kyes: 67-75-73 = 215 (+2)
T-65. Luke Smith: 71-78-70 = 219 (+6)
The Vols fired a 5-under-par 279 during Wednesday's third round to close the event at 16-under-par, tied with No. 20 Georgia Tech for first place. No. 3 Florida and No. 6 LSU tied for third place at 13-under-par, as No. 7 Oklahoma State rounded out the top five at 8-under-par. No. 2 Virginia and No. 9 Illinois tied for sixth place at 6-under-par.
For Tennessee, the victory over the stacked field is the team's second win of the season and the 13th win of the Brennan Webb era. It marks the 21st season in Tennessee men's golf history with multiple tournament wins.
The team wasn't the only victor on Wednesday afternoon at Pauma Valley Country Club. Lance Simpson claimed the first individual title of his prestigious collegiate career, closing the Pauma Valley Invitational tied atop the 92-golfer field at 10-under-par. The senior fired a 2-under-par 69 in round three for his third consecutive round in the 60s to claim medalist honors. Simpson carded five birdies on the day to maintain his spot atop the standings.
Jackson Herrington notched his second consecutive top 15 finish, closing the Pauma Valley Invitational at 3-under-par. The sophomore, who will make his next official appearance at the 2026 Masters Tournament, posted a 1-over-par 72 in round three to tie for 14th place. Four birdies in the final ten holes for Herrington were key to securing the team victory for Tennessee.
The low score in round three for the Vols was recorded by Josh Hill, who entered the clubhouse with a 3-under-par 68. A clean-cut round saw the senior post four birdies to just one bogey as he improved to 1-under-par overall on the final day. Hill's round three effort saw him climb 22 spots individually to a final tie for 22nd place.
After a frustrating round two, Luke Smith bounced back with an important 1-under-par 70 in round three to help Tennessee claim a share of the team championship at the Pauma Valley Invitational. The freshman tallied three birdies on the front nine, before highlighting his day with an eagle at hole No. 10. Smith closed the event tied for 65th place at 6-over-par.
Competing as an individual, Reed Lotter earned top 30 honors with an even-par finish overall after carding an even-par 71 on Wednesday. The senior closed the tournament tied for 29th place. Additionally, Chase Kyes tied for 41st place at 2-over-par overall after firing a 2-over-par 73 in round three.
With plenty of momentum behind them, the Vols have two more spring events remaining before postseason golf tees off at the SEC Championships. Tennessee will next return to action at the Mason Rudolph Championship, slated for April 3-5 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Pauma Valley Invitational Standings (Final)
T-1. Tennessee (-16)
T-1. Georgia Tech (-16)
T-3. LSU (-13)
T-3. Florida (-13)
5. Oklahoma State (-8)
T-6. Virginia (-6)
T-6. Illinois (-6)
8. SMU (-5)
9. Ole Miss (+1)
10. Texas Tech (+3)
11. East Tennessee State (+5)
12. San Diego State (+8)
13. San Diego (+10)
T-14. Toledo (+13)
T-14. Loyola Marymount (+13)
16. Colorado State (+31)
Tennessee Results (Final)
T-1. Lance Simpson: 66-68-69 = 203 (-10)
T-14. Jackson Herrington: 69-69-72 = 210 (-3)
T-22. Josh Hill: 72-72-68 = 212 (-1)
T-29. Reed Lotter (i): 73-69-71 = 213 (E)
T-41. Chase Kyes: 67-75-73 = 215 (+2)
T-65. Luke Smith: 71-78-70 = 219 (+6)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
MGolf | Brennan Webb Media Availability (9.2.25))
Tuesday, September 02
MGolf | Brennan Webb Media Availability (9.3.24)
Tuesday, September 03
MGolf | Brennan Webb Post-Round Interview - SEC Championship: Round Three (4.26.24)
Friday, April 26
MGolf | Jake Hall Post-Round Interview - SEC Championship: Round Two (4.25.24)
Thursday, April 25
