University of Tennessee Athletics
Tuesday, April 14
Charlottesville, Va.
University of Tennessee
vs
Lewis Chitengwa Memorial - Round 3
Photo by: Elliot Walker/Tennessee Athletics
#14 Vols Close Lewis Chitengwa Memorial in Fourth; Murphy Places Third
April 14, 2026 | Men's Golf
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The No. 14 Tennessee men's golf team wrapped up its final tournament before the SEC Championship on Tuesday with the third round of the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial at Birdwood Golf Course.
The Vols placed fourth out of the 12 teams competing, firing a 4-under-par 280 to close the tournament at 20-under-par, the team's second-best 54-hole score to par this season. No. 2 Virginia took home the win on home turf with an impressive final tally of 39-under-par. No. 25 Florida State claimed runner-up honors at 26-under-par, while SMU placed third at 23-under-par.
The highlight of the week for Tennessee was the play of Bruce Murphy. The redshirt junior earned a podium finish, placing third among the 72 individuals competing at 12-under-par. With a 3-under-par 68 in Tuesday's third round, Murphy clinched three consecutive rounds in the 60s, carding 16 birdies to just four bogeys across the week. The Atlanta native now has three top ten finishes this spring and four total on the season.
Luke Smith posted his third consecutive round of par or better with a 1-under-par 70 in round three. The freshman closed the tournament at 2-under-par, good enough to tie for 22nd place. Smith carded birdies on two of his final four holes to ensure he ended the round and the tournament in the red numbers.
Lance Simpson matched Smith with a final tally of 2-under-par after recording an even-par 71 in round three. It was a whirlwind of a round for the Vols' star senior, including five bogeys, three birdies, and an eagle on hole No. 16. With a tie for 22nd place, Simpson earns his 23rd career top 25 finish.
Josh Hill matched the final countable score for Tennessee on Tuesday, equaling Simpson's even-par 71. The other senior on the Vols' roster, Hill's final round was much less eventful, featuring two birdies, two bogeys, and 14 pars. At 1-over-par overall, Hill closed the tournament tied for 33rd place.
Postseason golf is up next for Tennessee as the Vols will head to St. Simons Island, Georgia, for the SEC Championship, slated to begin on Wednesday, April 22. Following three days of stroke play, should the team advance, match play will begin on Saturday, April 25.
Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Results (Final)
1. Virginia (-39)
2. Florida State (-26)
3. SMU (-23)
4. Tennessee (-20)
5. Charlotte (-17)
6. NC State (-16)
7. Maryland (-3)
8. Liberty (-2)
9. Texas State (+8)
10. Virginia Tech (+16)
11. Loyola Maryland (+22)
12. Toledo (+24)
Tennessee Results (Final)
3. Bruce Murphy: 64-69-68 = 201 (-12)
T-22. Lance Simpson: 68-72-71 = 211 (-2)
T-22. Luke Smith: 70-71-70 = 211 (-2)
T-33. Josh Hill: 70-73-71 = 214 (+1)
T-37. Chase Kyes: 71-68-76 = 215 (+2)
The Vols placed fourth out of the 12 teams competing, firing a 4-under-par 280 to close the tournament at 20-under-par, the team's second-best 54-hole score to par this season. No. 2 Virginia took home the win on home turf with an impressive final tally of 39-under-par. No. 25 Florida State claimed runner-up honors at 26-under-par, while SMU placed third at 23-under-par.
The highlight of the week for Tennessee was the play of Bruce Murphy. The redshirt junior earned a podium finish, placing third among the 72 individuals competing at 12-under-par. With a 3-under-par 68 in Tuesday's third round, Murphy clinched three consecutive rounds in the 60s, carding 16 birdies to just four bogeys across the week. The Atlanta native now has three top ten finishes this spring and four total on the season.
Luke Smith posted his third consecutive round of par or better with a 1-under-par 70 in round three. The freshman closed the tournament at 2-under-par, good enough to tie for 22nd place. Smith carded birdies on two of his final four holes to ensure he ended the round and the tournament in the red numbers.
Lance Simpson matched Smith with a final tally of 2-under-par after recording an even-par 71 in round three. It was a whirlwind of a round for the Vols' star senior, including five bogeys, three birdies, and an eagle on hole No. 16. With a tie for 22nd place, Simpson earns his 23rd career top 25 finish.
Josh Hill matched the final countable score for Tennessee on Tuesday, equaling Simpson's even-par 71. The other senior on the Vols' roster, Hill's final round was much less eventful, featuring two birdies, two bogeys, and 14 pars. At 1-over-par overall, Hill closed the tournament tied for 33rd place.
Postseason golf is up next for Tennessee as the Vols will head to St. Simons Island, Georgia, for the SEC Championship, slated to begin on Wednesday, April 22. Following three days of stroke play, should the team advance, match play will begin on Saturday, April 25.
Lewis Chitengwa Memorial Results (Final)
1. Virginia (-39)
2. Florida State (-26)
3. SMU (-23)
4. Tennessee (-20)
5. Charlotte (-17)
6. NC State (-16)
7. Maryland (-3)
8. Liberty (-2)
9. Texas State (+8)
10. Virginia Tech (+16)
11. Loyola Maryland (+22)
12. Toledo (+24)
Tennessee Results (Final)
3. Bruce Murphy: 64-69-68 = 201 (-12)
T-22. Lance Simpson: 68-72-71 = 211 (-2)
T-22. Luke Smith: 70-71-70 = 211 (-2)
T-33. Josh Hill: 70-73-71 = 214 (+1)
T-37. Chase Kyes: 71-68-76 = 215 (+2)
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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