Gators Men’s Golf Dominates Early at NCAA Columbus Regional

After falling to Ole Miss 4-1 in the SEC Championship final, Florida men’s golf has entered the NCAA Columbus Regional in Columbus, Ohio, with something to prove. 

No. 2 Florida men’s golf opened the regional Monday by jumping out to a commanding lead and continued to show why they are one of the top teams in the country during Tuesday’s second round.

Led by Parker Sands and Jack Turner, who shot 5-under and 2-under respectively, Florida shot 7-under as a team to take a 12-shot lead after the first day. By the end of Day 2, the Gators led by 16 strokes while showing why they are one of the nation’s top teams against stiff competition in Memphis, Stanford, Arizona State, Long Beach State and Florida State.

After shooting 2-over in the opening round and missing Florida’s counted team scores, sophomore Zack Swanwick bounced back with a 2-under performance to lead the team in Round 2, picking up after Sands and Turner shot over. 

As for individual performances, all five qualified Florida golfers sit inside the top seven at the regional. Luke Poulter leads the group in a tie for second at 1-under, while Sands, Turner and Swanwick are tied for fourth at even par. Matthew Kress is tied for seventh at 1 over.

Throughout the regional so far, the Gators have been the only team to shoot under par and break even in a round as they seek their eighth regional title in program history and first back-to-back regional champions.

The top five teams from the regional will advance to the national championship in Carlsbad, California starting May 29.

The Columbus Regional will conclude Wednesday with Round 3, with tee times starting at 7:30 a.m.

Category: Gators Men's Golf