Last season at the Olympia Fields Invitational, senior T.J. Vogel got off to a hot start before catching fire in the latter part of the tournament.
On Tuesday, Vogel built upon Monday’s late surge, powering the Gators to a second-place finish at the same invite in Olympia Fields, Ill.
Florida posted a final-round score of 286 (+6) to leapfrog Florida State and Duke en route to a second-place finish at the par-70, 7,080-yard course.
Florida carded an 867 (+27) for the tournament, finishing 13 strokes behind first-place Arkansas (854).
“I said earlier that I believed we had a good day left in us, and we did,” coach Buddy Alexander said.
Vogel was efficient early, using his putting to amass seven birdies through 14 holes. After consecutive birdies on holes 13 and 14, Vogel bogeyed three of the last four holes to card a 68 (-2) on the final day of play.
The round matched his best showing in three trips to the Olympia Fields Invite.
He shot a 214 (+4) for the tournament, tied for seventh place overall. The performance marked his second straight top-10 finish.
After unfavorable weather led to a 295 (+15) on Sunday, Florida strung together consecutive rounds of 286 (+6). Sophomore Santiago Gavino carded a 71 (+1) while freshman A.J. Crouch turned in a 72 (+2). Gavino posted a 71 (+1), the lowest 18-hole score he’s recorded at Florida.
He totaled a 228 (+18) for the tournament.
Senior Tyler McCumber and sophomore J.D. Tomlinson each shot a 75 (+5) on Tuesday. McCumber totaled a 218 (+8), finishing 20th on the individual leaderboards.
Tomlinson finished in a tie for 25th.
“It was a good way to finish against a strong field,” Alexander said. Florida has more than two weeks to prepare for its next challenge of the season. UF will travel to Birmingham, Ala., for the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Oct. 15.
Alabama will host the tournament, which takes place at the Old Overton Country Club.
Senior T.J. Vogel finished tied for seventh after carding a 68 (-2) in the final round of the Olympia Fields/Illini Invitational on Tuesday. Vogel finished in the top-10 for the second-straight tournament.
