After setting a new program record for strokes in a single round with 268 (-16) on Tuesday, the Eagles seized the Gate City Invitational title, beating second-place Oglethorpe by 16 strokes. Senior Jackson Klutznick dominated the competition, finishing with a final score of 197 (-16), 11 strokes better than the next closest golfer to bring home the individual title as well.
The Emory men's golf team entered the final round of the Gate City Invitational in second place and one stroke behind Oglethorpe, but a dominant final round pushed the Eagles to an early-season victory. The Eagles finished the tournament with a score of 831 strokes (-21) over the course of three rounds, setting a new program record for lowest score in a three-round tournament. The final score shattered the previous low of 840 strokes set in October 2021.
Emory dominated Par 4s this week, setting them apart from the competition. The Eagles finished the tournament averaging a par on such holes over three rounds. The next closest team shot +9 on these holes. Emory finished the tournament with 181 pars, 50 birdies, and two eagles.
Klutznick led the way for the Eagles on Tuesday, shooting a record-breaking 61 (-10) in his final round. He broke his own record, set in October 2021 when he shot a 64 at the Golfweek DIII Fall Invitational. The senior also broke the individual low score in a three-round tournament, scoring a 197 over the course of three rounds. This was the first time an Eagle has ever shot under 200 strokes in a three-round tournament in program history, trouncing the previous record of 206, also held by Klutznick.
The senior was locked in on day two, notching eight birdies and a hole in one on hole 10, a 161-yard par 3. Klutznick did not have a single bogey in the final round. He dominated the Par 4s as well, finishing -8 on these holes after three rounds.
Junior Tony Li also had an impressive day two, shooting a 68 (-3) on Tuesday. Li was consistent on the front-nine, recording a par on all but one hole before he birdied four holes with no bogeys on the back-nine. The junior finished tied fourth individually with a final score of 210 (-3).
Freshman Kevin Mu concluded his first collegiate tournament strong, shooting a 67 (-4) on day two. The newcomer did not bogey a single hole in the final round, while knocking down four birdies. Mu finished tied for the best score on Par 4s, finishing the tournament -1 on these holes. He finished the match with a final score of 212 (-1).
Junior Michael Burry settled in on day two, shooting a 72 (+1), to finish the tournament tied for ninth overall with 213 strokes (E). Sophomore Brian Hanson rounded out the Eagles' score shooting a 73 on Tuesday, to finish with 219 strokes (+6) and tied for 32nd.
The Eagles will return to the course on Monday, October 9 for the Tartan Invitational in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.