Three Gamecocks in Top 100 of Golfweek's World Amateur Rankings

April 3, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Three South Carolina men’s golfers are ranked in the top 100 of the latest Golfweek/Amateurgolf.com World Player Rankings released this week.

Sophomore Matt NeSmith is No. 50 in the world rankings and No. 27 in the U.S. rankings. Junior Will Murphy comes in at No. 64 in the world and No. 35 in the U.S., while junior Caleb Sturgeon is ranked No. 77 in the world and No. 44 in the U.S.

The golfers earn the points for their rankings based on their finishes in designated amateur tournaments around the world as well as at the NCAA Championship and NCAA regional tournaments. Murphy recently earned 1,000 points for winning the prestigious Azalea Invitational.

On the season for the Gamecocks, NeSmith leads the team with a stroke average of 71.96, which ranks third all-time for a single season in school history. He also has four top-five finishes, which is tied for the fifth most in a single season at South Carolina. A native of Columbia, S.C., Murphy has three top-20 finishes and is tied for third on the team with an average of 73.09. Sturgeon has recorded four top-20 finishes, including a win at the Badger Invitational. He is tied for third on the squad with an average of 73.09. His career average of 73.14 currently ranks fifth all-time at South Carolina.