UT's Brandon Rodgers first collegiate individual golf title

Brandon Rodgers won his first collegiate golf tournament on Tuesday at the Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate at the Sevierville Golf Course.

The University of Tennessee junior shot rounds of 71-72 for a two-day total of 1-under-par 143.

“It was just a good week. The weather was frustrating and the course played harder than it usually does,” Rodgers, a Farragut High School graduate, said in a UT release. “But I felt like I hit the ball really well and stayed positive through the bad weather.”

The tournament was shortened from two 36-hole days to one due to inclement weather.

Rodgers beat out UT Martin’s Ben Reeves, a freshman who starred at Bearden High, by one shot.

Rodgers’ victory was the fourth individual title for the Vols this season.

“We are thrilled for Brandon capturing his first collegiate win,” UT coach Jim Kelson said. “We hope this win will give him more confidence moving forward.”

UT did not compete as a team, taking just four players. However, all four Vols finished in the top 10.

Michael Nagy (71-76) tied for fifth, while Marshall Talkington (73-75) and Chad Merzbacher (73-75) tied for eighth.

UT Martin won the team competition with a 593, beating out Newberry College by 10 strokes. Additionally, Aaron Knutson of Detroit Mercy hit a hole-in-one on the 13th hole.