BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – No. 3 Auburn men's golf dropped its SEC Fall Preview consolation match to Texas A&M 3-2 Tuesday at Old Overton Club.
 
"Today was obviously not the result we wanted," Tigers head coach Nick Clinard said, "but our guys were relentless in their respective matches, and it was great to get match play experience against a quality opponent. We're extremely proud of the team's performance all week long. Finishing third at 33-under is a huge accomplishment that we're going to build on moving forward."
 
With a birdie on the opening hole, sophomore Evan Vo jumped ahead of A&M's Sam Bennett and never looked back, picking up wins on holes 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to secure the 7&6 victory. Bennett was voted the 2022 SEC Golfer of the Year and is the reigning U.S. Amateur Champion.
 
"I played solid this week," Vo said. "All areas of my game were dependable. If I could've played the par 5s a bit smarter, I would've been in contention to win, but nonetheless, it was a successful week. My putter is starting to come along, and I just need to keep down the path I'm headed on."
 
Junior J.M. Butler tallied the Tigers' second victory, defeating Maichon. 3&2. The pair battled through the first 12 holes, but with a birdie on 13, Butler locked down the lead and never let go.
 
Sophomore Brendan Valdes jumped on the Aggies' Sadagopan with a birdie on the first hole and carried the lead through the front nine. Sadagopan evened the score on 10 and went one-up on 13. The pair played until the final hole, but Valdes ultimately fell one-down.
 
Junior Ryan Eshleman fell 5&4 to Montojo and junior Carson Bacha dropped a 3&2 bout to Rodrigues.
 
Up next, the Tigers head to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the Marquette Invitational Oct. 2-3.
 
Texas A&M def. Auburn 3-2
J.M. Butler def. Phichaksn Maichon 3&2
Jamie Montojo def. Ryan Eshleman 4&5
Vishnu Sadagopan def. Brendan Valdes 1-UP
Evan Vo def. Sam Bennett 7&6
Daniel Rodrigues def. Carson Bacha 3&2