April 1, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C — South Carolina junior Matt NeSmith has been named the SEC Men’s Golfer of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday.

NeSmith earns the honor after capturing medalist honors at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate and leading the Gamecocks to the team title. He finished the final round in a three-way tie for first with a 54-hole total of 205 (-11) and claimed medalist honors for the first time in his Gamecock career by winning a three-hole playoff. As a team, Carolina posted a total of 838 (-26) to claim its fifth tournament title of the season, which is a school record.

A native of North Augusta, S.C., NeSmith shot rounds of 69 (-3), 68 (-4) and 68 (-4) at the Hootie and has carded four-straight rounds in the 60s. The win is his eighth career top-five finish, which moves him into a tie for sixth in career top-five finishes at Carolina with Eric Ecker (1996-2000). NeSmith’s average of 70.59 currently ranks eighth in the SEC.

NeSmith and the Gamecocks will return to action on April 17-19 at the SEC Championship. The 54-hole event will be held at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga.