Gamecocks Take Fifth in SEC-Heavy Tiger Invitational

OPELIKA, Ala. — South Carolina finished fifth in a loaded 15-team field on Wednesday at the Tiger Invitational. The Gamecocks shot 286 (-2) in the final round for a 54-hole tally of 853 (-11).
 
Play was suspended late in the day on Tuesday due to lightning and inclement weather, but teams were able to finish the final round early this afternoon.
 
Super senior All-American Jamie Wilson had his best performance of the 2020-21 season, finishing T-11^th at 5-under overall (211). The Mount Pleasant, S.C., native posted a red number in all three rounds with scores of 71 (-1), 69 (-3) and 71 (-1). Wilson T-3^rd in the 89-man field with a team-best 15 birdies.

“It was another good tournament for us against a very strong field,” said head coach Bill McDonald. “It’s the best I’ve seen Jamie (Wilson) look all year, and I feel like we’re really improving overally as a team in some very critical areas. We have a few days to rest up and make some minor adjustments for The Hootie in a few weeks. I’m very encouraged by what I saw this week and excited about the next two events to finish our regular season.” 
 
Junior Ryan Hall, who came into the tournament ranked No. 8 in the Golfstat Player Rankings, played solid again with another top-20 finish. The Knoxville, Tenn., native T-13^th at 4-under overall (212). He shot 68 (-4) in round two on Monday.
 
Sophomore Jack Wall T-24^th at 2-under overall (214). The Brielle, N.J., native shot 71 (-1) in the final round. Super senior Caleb Proveaux T-30^th at even par (216). His tournament was highlighted by a 68 (-4) in the opening round. Wall and Proveaux T-7^th in the field with 14 red numbers on their scorecards.
 
NOTABLE
• Ryan Hall, who was recently named to the Haskins Award Watch List, has finished in the top-20 in all six of his starts during the 2020-21 season. He’s been consistent throughout his time at South Carolina with 13 top-20s in 20 career starts.  
• Jamie Wilson, a 2020 PING Honorable Mention All-American, recorded his 12^th career top-20 finish this week at the Tiger Invitational.
• The Gamecocks went 5-3 this week against teams ranked in the top-25 via Golfstat. 
• Carolina’s top-five finish was the team’s second straight and third of the season against a mostly all-SEC schedule.
 
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks turn their attention to the Charleston area for a familiar tournament on the schedule, the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate (March 28-30). Last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Carolina has won the tournament four of the past five seasons dating back to the team’s victory in 2019.
 
2021 Tiger Invitational Gamecock Leaderboard
T11. Jamie Wilson – 211 (-5)
T13. Ryan Hall – 212 (-4)
T24. Jack Wall – 214 (-2)
T30. Caleb Proveaux – 216 (E)
87. *Andrew Spiegler – 235 (+19)
88. Nick Mayfield – 242 (+26)
 
*playing as an individual
 
2021 Tiger Invitational Leaderboard
1. No. 16 Auburn – 838 (-26)
2. No. 34 Alabama – 840 (-24)
T3. No. 14 Vanderbilt – 851 (-13)
T3. No. 24 LSU – 851 (-13)
5. South Carolina – 853 (-11)
6. No. 13 Georgia – 854 (-10)  
7. No. 21 Arkansas – 855 (-9)  
8. Mississippi State – 860 (-4)
9. No. 20 Tennessee – 863 (-1)
10. No. 23 Arkansas State – 866 (+2)
11. No. 26 Texas A&M – 868 (+4)
T12. No. 37 UAB – 869 (+5)
T12. No. 42 Georgia Southern – 869 (+5)
14. South Alabama – 880 (+16)
15. Missouri – 883 (+19)
 
*Rankings via Golfstat as of 3/9/21
 
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