University of Tennessee Athletics
Pardue and Watts Claim SEC Weekly Awards
October 07, 2026 | Men's Golf
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference revealed its weekly golf awards on Wednesday afternoon, with a pair of Vol men's golfers earning recognition.
Tennessee junior Christian Pardue was named SEC Golfer of the Week, while Tyler Watts garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors. The duo led Tennessee to a dominant team victory at the Cullan Brown Collegiate, where the Vols earned a 22-stroke victory atop a 15-team field.
Pardue was Tennessee's top performer in the event, tying for the individual title at 9-under-par. The first collegiate victory for the Arlington, Tennessee, native was fueled by three consecutive rounds in the 60s, including a 4-under-par 67 in round three.
Despite being in the hunt for the individual title throughout the week, Pardue found himself multiple strokes behind coming down the stretch. Three birdies over the final four holes of round three allowed Pardue to come from behind and earn a share of the championship.
Watts wasn't far behind as Tennessee's second-best performer in the tournament. Making his debut as a Vol, the freshman tied for third place at 6-under-par, fueled by a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 in the final round. Similarly to Pardue, Watts turned his game up a notch coming down the home stretch, carding three consecutive birdies to conclude a bogey-free final round.
Pardue, Watts and the Vols have one tournament remaining in the Fall slate. The team will head to Saucier, Mississippi, for the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational, set for October 17-19 at Fallen Oak Golf Course.
Tennessee junior Christian Pardue was named SEC Golfer of the Week, while Tyler Watts garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors. The duo led Tennessee to a dominant team victory at the Cullan Brown Collegiate, where the Vols earned a 22-stroke victory atop a 15-team field.
Pardue was Tennessee's top performer in the event, tying for the individual title at 9-under-par. The first collegiate victory for the Arlington, Tennessee, native was fueled by three consecutive rounds in the 60s, including a 4-under-par 67 in round three.
Despite being in the hunt for the individual title throughout the week, Pardue found himself multiple strokes behind coming down the stretch. Three birdies over the final four holes of round three allowed Pardue to come from behind and earn a share of the championship.
Watts wasn't far behind as Tennessee's second-best performer in the tournament. Making his debut as a Vol, the freshman tied for third place at 6-under-par, fueled by a bogey-free 6-under-par 65 in the final round. Similarly to Pardue, Watts turned his game up a notch coming down the home stretch, carding three consecutive birdies to conclude a bogey-free final round.
Pardue, Watts and the Vols have one tournament remaining in the Fall slate. The team will head to Saucier, Mississippi, for the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational, set for October 17-19 at Fallen Oak Golf Course.
Players Mentioned
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