WALESKA, Ga. — Competing in their first rounds of the 2025-26 season, the Freed-Hardeman Lion men's golf team strung together two solid rounds to open the Eagle's Open. After carding 297 (+13) in the first round, their second round total of 301 (+17) totaled 598 (+30) - good enough to sit in fourth place out of eight teams.
Of the two teams ahead of FHU, Reinhardt (Ga.) is ranked No. 20 while Midway (Ky.) is receiving votes. The Lions sit nine strokes ahead of an (RV) Faulkner (Ala.) team on the par-71 course.
Lane Walton got his collegiate career off to a great start, carding an eagle on the par-4 fourth hole to go with three more birdies in the first round to finish at even par with 71 (E). Walton would continue his strong play with a birdie on the fourth hole in the second round to help him finish with 76 (+5), bringing his day's total to 147 (+5) to lead the Lions and land in fourth place.
Another true freshman,
Drew Massengale, had the second-best day with a total of 149 (+7) giving him a share of 12th place. His 73 (+2) first round was highlighted with a birdie on the par-5 first hole while ending with par on the 10th-18th holes. In the second round he added two more birdies to finish the round at 76 (+5)
Ben Sebilian had the biggest turnaround from rounds one to two by shaving off four strokes. In the first round, Sebilian had a pair of birdies on the first nine to help him to 77 (+6). He would then join Walton with an eagle on the fifth hole in the second round while another birdie saw him score 76 (+5). Finishing in a tie for 15th place, Sebilian stands at 150 (+8) after two rounds.
Lucas Gupton ended the day in a tie for 23rd place with 152 (+10). He carded four birdies in the first round to score 76 (+5) before scoring an identical score in the second round with the same number of holes under par.
The team scoring wrapped up with
Cameron Long finishing with a share of 29th place with 156 (+14). In the first round hiw 79 (+8) included a birdie on the par-4 fifth hole before trimming off two strokes in the second round with two birdies to conclude with 77 (+6).
Gabe Webb,Â
Braden Riddle, and
Eli Kibbe each competed as individuals. Webb scored two birdies in the first round, while Kibbe joined with a first-round birdie. Riddle sank a birdie in each round to finish the day for the Lions.
Â
| Place |
Player |
Rd 1 |
Rd. 2 |
Rd. 3 |
Total |
| 41 |
Gabe Webb (Ind.) |
80 (+9) |
81 (+10) |
|
161 (+19) |
| 46 |
Braden Riddle (Ind.) |
86 (+15) |
81 (+10) |
|
167 (+25) |
| 49 |
Eli Kibbe (Ind.) |
84 (+13) |
85 (+14) |
|
169 (+27) |
