ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – No. 8 Auburn men's golf is heading home early as a 283 (+3) on Thursday was not enough to secure the Tigers a spot in the match play quarterfinals of the 2023 SEC Championship at Seaside Golf Course.
Auburn placed 11th with an 845 (+5) over its three days at the tournament. Senior Alex Vogelsong shot even par (70) in round three to lead the lineup in a tie for eighth place at 3-under 207. The finish is the 10th top-10 finish of Vogelsong's career.
Junior J.M. Butler battled in his final 18 and birdied his last hole, 9, to shoot even par and place tied for 19th. Sophomore Brendan Valdes carded a 72 (+2), junior Carson Bacha signed for a 71 (+1) and subbing in for freshman Reed Lotter, junior Ryan Eshleman shot 74 (+4).
Tennessee earned the one-seed at 14-under 826. The Volunteers' Caleb Surratt captured the individual title at 196 (-14).
Auburn returns to postseason action May 15-17, hosting an NCAA Regional at Auburn University Club. The full regional field will be revealed Wednesday, May 3, at Noon CT on Golf Channel's Selection Special.
| Placement | Golfer | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T8th | Alex Vogelsong | 66 (-4) | 71 (+1) | 70 (E) | 207 (-3) |
| T19th | J.M. Butler | 69 (-1) | 72 (+2) | 70 (E) | 210 (E) |
| T44th | Brendan Valdes | 68 (-2) | 74 (+4) | 72 (+2) | 214 (+4) |
| T53rd | Carson Bacha | 71 (+1) | 74 (+4) | 71 (+1) | 216 (+6) |
| - | Reed Lotter | 69 (-1) | 74 (+4) | - | 143 (+3) |
| - | Ryan Eshleman | - | - | 74 (+4) | 74 (+4) |
| 11th | TEAM | 271 (-9) | 291 (+11) | 283 (+3) | 845 (+5) |
TEAM STANDINGS:
1. No. 13 Tennessee 826 (-14)
2. No. 15 Texas A&M 827 (-13)
3. No. 9 Florida 832 (-9)
4. No. 1 Vanderbilt 832 (-8)
5. No. 17 Alabama 832 (-8)
6. No. 21 Ole Miss 839 (-9)
7. Missouri 840 (E)
8. No. 18 Mississippi State 841 (+1)
9. RV Georgia 842 (+2)
10. Arkansas 843 (+3)
11. No. 8 Auburn 845 (+5)
12. LSU 847 (+7)
13. Kentucky 854 (+14)
14. South Carolina 888 (+48)