Tennessee Vols Lead NCAA Amherst Regional as Bryce Pardue Sets Pace with Impressive Individual Performance Through Early Rounds

The University of Tennessee men’s golf team has positioned itself at the forefront of the NCAA Amherst Regional, thanks to a blend of consistency, discipline, and one particularly stellar individual performance. After early-round play, the Vols have not only claimed the top spot on the team leaderboard but also boast the individual leader in junior Bryce Pardue, whose precision and poise have set the tone for a campaign that could culminate in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

Held at the picturesque but challenging Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston, Massachusetts, the Amherst Regional is one of six regional tournaments determining the final qualifiers for the NCAA Championships. With only the top five teams from each regional advancing to the next stage, the stakes are high—and Tennessee has so far proven more than ready for the moment.

Pardue, a junior from Chattanooga, entered the week with a string of strong performances behind him, but he has elevated his game to another level in Amherst. Firing an opening-round 67 and following that with a composed 69, he currently holds the outright individual lead at 8-under-par. His command of the course has been evident in nearly every facet of his game. From booming drives that consistently find the fairway to laser-focused approach shots, Pardue has looked every bit the leader Tennessee has needed.

“Bryce has really matured this season, and you can see it in the way he handles himself under pressure,” Tennessee head coach Brennan Webb said. “He’s trusting his swing and playing with a calm confidence that’s contagious. The rest of the team is feeding off that energy.”

Indeed, while Pardue is grabbing headlines with his scorecard, the Vols’ success at the team level has been a group effort. All five Tennessee starters have contributed meaningfully, with four currently inside the top 30 on the individual leaderboard. Senior Caleb Surratt, another vital cog in Tennessee’s lineup, bounced back from a tough start to shoot 70 in the second round, helping the Vols maintain their slim lead over a competitive field that includes Stanford, Florida, and host UMass.

Surratt’s resilience mirrors the broader character of this Tennessee squad—gritty, experienced, and capable of responding to challenges with resolve. After a middling performance at the SEC Championships, the Vols entered the regional with something to prove. So far, they’ve made that statement with conviction.

Their current team total of 13-under-par gives them a two-stroke edge over Stanford and a five-shot cushion over Florida, both perennial NCAA contenders. The narrow margins underscore just how tight the competition is and how valuable every birdie, par save, and smart decision becomes. For Tennessee, that means remaining focused on execution, not outcome.

“We came in knowing this course would demand your full attention,” Webb noted. “It’s not the kind of track where you can coast. Crumpin-Fox will punish you if you lose focus, but our guys have done a great job staying disciplined.”

Crumpin-Fox is known for its deceptive layout—tree-lined fairways, elevation changes, and multi-tiered greens that reward creativity and punish imprecision. That challenge has exposed weaknesses in some squads, but the Vols have embraced it. Pardue, in particular, has used the contours of the course to his advantage, often shaping shots to attack tucked pins and positioning himself for manageable putts. His work on the greens has been exceptional, draining multiple mid-range birdie attempts and rarely leaving himself in trouble.

As Pardue reflects on his play so far, he credits a balanced mental approach as the key difference-maker.

“I’ve been really focused on staying in the present,” he said. “There’s so much going on around you in a tournament like this—it’s easy to get caught up thinking about the leaderboard or the next hole. But I’ve just tried to hit each shot with purpose and let the rest take care of itself.”

Pardue’s emergence as a national-level threat is not a surprise to those within the Tennessee program. A steady contributor since his freshman year, he has steadily improved his ball-striking and shot selection. This spring, he’s posted multiple top-10 finishes, but leading a regional is a new milestone—and one that could catapult him into All-American consideration if he maintains this level.

The timing couldn’t be better for the Vols, who are looking to return to the NCAA Championship for the second time in three seasons. Their last deep run came in 2022, when they reached the match-play stage and finished inside the national top eight. This year’s roster, bolstered by experience and a deeper bench, is widely considered capable of matching or exceeding that feat.

Assistant coach Rob Bradley, who’s worked closely with Pardue on refining his approach game, believes the team’s chemistry is its biggest asset.

“There’s no ego with these guys,” Bradley said. “They support each other, push each other, and genuinely want the best for the team. That’s rare, and it shows up in the way they compete. They don’t dwell on mistakes—they just move on and get after the next shot.”

That attitude has served them well through 36 holes in Amherst, but the job is far from finished. With one round remaining, Tennessee must maintain its level while withstanding pressure from several elite programs that are within striking distance. Stanford, led by All-Pac-12 standout Ethan Ng, is just two shots behind, and Florida boasts multiple players capable of going low in the final round.

There’s also the matter of weather, which has been increasingly unpredictable in the Northeast this spring. Rain is forecast for the afternoon of the final day, potentially softening the course and allowing for more aggressive play. For the Vols, that means adapting on the fly and making sure their course management remains sound.

“We’ve talked all year about being versatile,” Coach Webb said. “We’ve played in the wind, on soft greens, on firm ones—you name it. These guys have seen it all. If we stay committed to our plan and play the way we know we can, we’ll like where we end up.”

The importance of that final round can’t be overstated. Only the top five teams advance, and while Tennessee has a lead, it’s by no means insurmountable. A cold stretch from one or two players could open the door for another team to surge. That’s why composure will be as vital as talent when the players tee off to decide who heads to the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad, California.

As for Pardue, he’ll enter the final round with the dual burden—and opportunity—of trying to win the individual title while helping to anchor Tennessee’s team effort. It’s a delicate balance, but one he appears ready to embrace.

“I’m just going to go out there and keep playing my game,” Pardue said. “If I do that, the rest will take care of itself.”

His teammates will be counting on it, and if the past two days are any indication, Pardue is more than up to the task. With a chance to make history and extend their season, the Tennessee Vols are in position to do something special in Amherst—and perhaps beyond.