MSU Freshman Carlos Sainz Jr. finished 12th and led all Mississippi State golfers this past week at the Tennessee Tournament of Champions held at the par-71 Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn.
The Bulldogs finished in a tie for 11th place as a team, shooting a three-round total of 872 to finish tied with the College of Charleston in the two-day event.
Sainz, a native of Elgin, Ill., fired a three-round score of 212 to finish at one-under-par for the tournament.
“I just wanted to go out there and play some good golf,” Sainz said. “Our team had big expectations coming into the weekend, but we didn’t play to our potential. We are excited about the rest of the season, and we are ready to get back in competition.”
Head coach Clay Homan was also excited by the freshman’s play and sees plenty of potential in him.
“For his first tournament, Carlos played exceptionally well,” Homan said. “He played like a senior and didn’t look like a freshman. If he continues to play like he did in this tournament, he is going to have a chance to win a lot of tournaments here at Mississippi State.”
Sophomore Michael Knight shot two rounds of 73 and ended the tournament, shooting a 220 to finish in a tie for 44th. Brandon native Josh Oller highlighted the second round for the Bulldogs with a 71 and finished with a 221.
Sophomore Logan Young fired a 223, highlighted by a third round score of 73. Jared Jimenez, the lone senior in the Bulldogs lineup, got off to a quick start by shooting a 72 in the first round and ended the tournament with a three-round total of 224.
The University of Tennesse took home the team title, shooting an 818, finishing 32 strokes better than second place Alabama. Florida State, Virginia Tech and North Florida closed out the top-five positions.
The Volunteer’s Lloyd Campbell and Phillip Pettitt shared the individual title, both shooting a three-round total of 201.
The Bulldog golf team now returns home to compete in the first ever Magnolia Cup in a dual match with Ole Miss at Old Waverly Golf Club on Sept. 23.