The Clemson men’s golf team competed in its first tournament of the year this past weekend at the Maui Jim Intercollegiate in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Tigers finished in solo second place with a score of -43, one shot behind Georgia Tech. The tournament marks the first event with new Head Coach Jordan Byrd, who is replacing Larry Penley, the legendary coach of 38 years.  

Although ending with a second-place finish, the 11th-ranked Tigers’ score of 797 (-43) was good enough to break the previous school scoring record by 14 shots. Senior Kyle Cottam led the Tigers with a 3-day-total of 196 (-14), as well as the worldwide 22nd ranked player, Jacob Bridgeman with a total score of 199 (-11). These scores marked the first time two Clemson golfers have broken a total score of 200 in a single tournament. A score of 62 for Bridgeman in the second round set a new course record as well.  

Clemson’s individual play was solid throughout the roster, with all six players posting under par totals for the tournament. The third round even saw each Tiger post sub-70 rounds.  

Junior Carter Pendley finished in T-17th, with a -8 total, third place for the Clemson squad. Seniors Colby Patton and Zack Gordon rounded out the team with total scores of -6 and -5, respectively. Sophomore Kian Rose, playing as an individual, finished at -2 for the tournament as well. 

The men’s team is back in action from Sept. 20, 2021 to Sept. 22, 2021 for the Scenic City Intercollegiate in Tenn. There, they will compete on the world-renowned Honors Course, host of two USGA championships and two NCAA National Championships, one of which was won by Stanford’s Tiger Woods, in 1996.