Gilbert’s second career win sees No. 2 Tigers through Honors Course Invitational

Gilbert’s second career win sees No. 2 Tigers through Honors Course InvitationalGilbert’s second career win sees No. 2 Tigers through Honors Course Invitational
Todd Drexler

OOLTEWAH, Tenn. – Auburn men’s golf finished tied for second place at the Invitational at the Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee Tuesday. Junior Josiah Gilbert was the Tigers’ top finisher, shooting 6-under to claim low medalist for the second time in his collegiate career. 

“Means a lot to start off the year strong,” Gilbert said. “I feel as though we set a great foundation as a team and learned things about ourselves early on, which is great. I’m thankful to see some progress in my own game, and ready and excited to keep on building when we head to Colonial.”

As a team, Auburn shot 5-under 859 to share runner-up honors with No. 12 Virginia. No. 5 Ole Miss captured the team title at 10-under 854. Without Jackson Koivun, the Tigers still picked up head-to-head wins against No. 8 Oklahoma (E), No. 12 Vanderbilt (-1), No. 17 Tennessee (+18), No. 19 Pepperdine (+4), as well as Clemson (+18) and Duke (+21), both of whom are receiving votes in the latest coaches’ poll. 

“Very proud of the fight and determination our guys showed these past two days,” head coach Nick Clinard said. “To finish second in a field that includes nine teams ranked in the top 30, without your top-ranked player, is applaudable. They fought hard and climbed up the leaderboard each day. I’m very excited for the potential of this group as our season progresses.”

Gilbert’s rounds of 73, 66 and 71 were enough to top the lineup and share medalist honors with Cameron Tankersly of Ole Miss. Four shots back of Gilbert was sophomore Billy Davis, who placed tied for eighth. Davis went 70, 71, 73 for a 2-under tournament. 

Cayden Pope opened his junior season inside the top 15 at 1-over. The Lexington, Kentucky native played consistently solid each day, going 73-71-73. 

Auburn rolled out a trio of freshmen in Jake Albert, Logan Reilly and Jack Roberts. Albert played the best amongst the group. He finished tied for 28th at 5-over with scores of 72, 77 and 72. 

Next, Auburn ventures to Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas for the Ben Hogan Collegiate. The event is set for Monday, Sept. 29 and Tuesday, Sept. 30.