University of Tennessee Athletics
Monday, August 31
Knoxville, Tenn.
University of Tennessee
vs
Visit Knoxville Collegiate - Rounds 1 & 2
Debutant Sautron Leads Vols Through Opening 36 Holes of Visit Knoxville Collegiate
August 31, 2026 | Men's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee men's golf team began the 2026-27 season on Monday with the opening 36 holes of the team's home tournament, the Visit Knoxville Collegiate, at Fox Den Country Club.
The Vols held a share of the lead after round one, firing a 3-under-par 277, but a 2-over-par 282 in the day's second round pushed Tennessee back to a tie for seventh place at 1-under-par. Chattanooga holds a slim lead atop the 17-team leader board at 8-under-par after round two, seven strokes ahead of the Vols.
On the individual front, Rudy Sautron led Tennessee in his first official appearance for the Vols. Making his debut on Rocky Top, Sautron closed the day at 2-under-par behind back-to-back 1-under-par rounds of 69. The senior transfer from Nebraska carded eight birdies on the day and an eagle on hole No. 5 during round two. Tennessee's best individual scorer through 36 holes, Sautron is tied for 18th place among the field of 96.
The Vols received another strong performance from a newcomer as freshman Pennson Badgett ended Monday at 1-under-par behind two consecutive rounds of par or better. Badgett began the day with a 1-under-par 69, followed by an even-par 70 in round two. His six-birdie performance has him tied for 24th place with 18 holes to play.
Jackson Herrington owns Tennessee's third-best score through two rounds at even-par. The experienced junior carded a 1-over-par 71 in the day's opening round before bouncing back with a 1-under-par 69 in round two. Herrington's 36-hole tally of four bogeys was the least by a Vol on Monday. At even-par overall, he is tied for 33rd place entering Tuesday's final round.
Christian Pardue and Chase Kyes rounded out Tennessee's lineup as each sit tied for 55th place after round two at 4-over-par. The pair started strong in round one, with Pardue carding an even-par 70 and Kyes posting a 1-under-par 69, but higher scores of 4-over-par and 5-over-par, respectively, in round two set each back.
Tennessee will look to mount a comeback on the team leader board during the third and final round of the Visit Knoxville Collegiate, set for Tuesday, September 1, at Fox Den Country Club. The Vols will tee off from hole No. 1 beginning at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Visit Knoxville Collegiate Standings (Round 2)
1. Chattanooga (-8)
T-2. Georgia (-7)
T-2. Memphis (-7)
4. Vanderbilt (-4)
5. North Carolina (-3)
6. South Carolina (-2)
T-7. Liberty (-1)
T-7. Toledo (-1)
T-7. Mississippi State (-1)
T-7. Tennessee (-1)
T-7. Missouri (-1)
12. Charlotte (+3)
T-13. Virginia Tech (+5)
T-13. NC State (+5)
15. Louisville (+10)
16. Indiana (+11)
17. Kentucky (+12)
Tennessee Results (Round 2)
T-18. Rudy Sautron: 69-69 = 138 (-2)
T-24. Pennson Badgett: 69-70 = 139 (-1)
T-33. Jackson Herrington: 71-69 = 140 (E)
T-50. Bruce Murphy (i): 71-72 = 143 (+3)
T-55. Christian Pardue: 70-74 = 144 (+4)
T-55. Chase Kyes: 69-75 = 144 (+4)
90. Luke Smith (i): 77-73 = 150 (+10)
The Vols held a share of the lead after round one, firing a 3-under-par 277, but a 2-over-par 282 in the day's second round pushed Tennessee back to a tie for seventh place at 1-under-par. Chattanooga holds a slim lead atop the 17-team leader board at 8-under-par after round two, seven strokes ahead of the Vols.
On the individual front, Rudy Sautron led Tennessee in his first official appearance for the Vols. Making his debut on Rocky Top, Sautron closed the day at 2-under-par behind back-to-back 1-under-par rounds of 69. The senior transfer from Nebraska carded eight birdies on the day and an eagle on hole No. 5 during round two. Tennessee's best individual scorer through 36 holes, Sautron is tied for 18th place among the field of 96.
The Vols received another strong performance from a newcomer as freshman Pennson Badgett ended Monday at 1-under-par behind two consecutive rounds of par or better. Badgett began the day with a 1-under-par 69, followed by an even-par 70 in round two. His six-birdie performance has him tied for 24th place with 18 holes to play.
Jackson Herrington owns Tennessee's third-best score through two rounds at even-par. The experienced junior carded a 1-over-par 71 in the day's opening round before bouncing back with a 1-under-par 69 in round two. Herrington's 36-hole tally of four bogeys was the least by a Vol on Monday. At even-par overall, he is tied for 33rd place entering Tuesday's final round.
Christian Pardue and Chase Kyes rounded out Tennessee's lineup as each sit tied for 55th place after round two at 4-over-par. The pair started strong in round one, with Pardue carding an even-par 70 and Kyes posting a 1-under-par 69, but higher scores of 4-over-par and 5-over-par, respectively, in round two set each back.
Tennessee will look to mount a comeback on the team leader board during the third and final round of the Visit Knoxville Collegiate, set for Tuesday, September 1, at Fox Den Country Club. The Vols will tee off from hole No. 1 beginning at 9:20 a.m. ET.
Visit Knoxville Collegiate Standings (Round 2)
1. Chattanooga (-8)
T-2. Georgia (-7)
T-2. Memphis (-7)
4. Vanderbilt (-4)
5. North Carolina (-3)
6. South Carolina (-2)
T-7. Liberty (-1)
T-7. Toledo (-1)
T-7. Mississippi State (-1)
T-7. Tennessee (-1)
T-7. Missouri (-1)
12. Charlotte (+3)
T-13. Virginia Tech (+5)
T-13. NC State (+5)
15. Louisville (+10)
16. Indiana (+11)
17. Kentucky (+12)
Tennessee Results (Round 2)
T-18. Rudy Sautron: 69-69 = 138 (-2)
T-24. Pennson Badgett: 69-70 = 139 (-1)
T-33. Jackson Herrington: 71-69 = 140 (E)
T-50. Bruce Murphy (i): 71-72 = 143 (+3)
T-55. Christian Pardue: 70-74 = 144 (+4)
T-55. Chase Kyes: 69-75 = 144 (+4)
90. Luke Smith (i): 77-73 = 150 (+10)
Players Mentioned
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