Vajda in first, Jags in second, heading into second day of Bash in the Boro

By Carlos Rodriguez |
Sports editor

After the first 36 holes of the Bash in the Boro golf tournament hosted by Georgia Southern, Augusta University sophomore Jack Vajda leads the field, finishing the day 11 under par.

Vajda finished Monday’s (Oct. 19) round one 3 under par and round two eight under par combining  for 11 under par with a total of 133 strokes. In round two he finished with a brilliant 64, tying the school record for the lowest single round. Vajda leads by four shots entering Tuesday’s round. Trailing behind him is Georgia Southern’s Jake Maples at 7 under par.

“Everything clicked today,” said the Canton, Ga., native. “My game was so close to breaking out, and I know once I got my tee balls down and putting myself in the fairway that I could go pretty low.”

Vajda didn’t compete in the team’s first tournament due to not performing his best in a qualifying tournament. Playing in his first team tournament of the season, Vajda knew he had to come out the gate strong.

“Playing as the sixth man this week I wanted to help the team as much as I can and I came through today which is the best feeling,” he said.

AU sophomore Ben Van Wyk currently sits tied for 10th at 1 under par while his brother junior Alex Van Wyk and graduate transfer Dan Sheehan are tied for 15th at 1 over par. Freshman Dawson Booth stands in a tie for 23rd while sophomore Hampus Wijkstrom is tied for 35th.

Freshmen Brock Hoover and Wilhelm Berg Von Linde are also competing but as individuals only.

The team is currently in second place, trailing leader Georgia Southern, which is at 21 under par while the Jaguars are at 15 under par. Behind AU is Appalachian State, which finished 5 under par after Day One.

“I think we all had a good game plan,” said Vajda. “If me and the guys stick to the game plan and hit some good shots we can overtake the lead come out with the victory.”

Other schools competing in the tournament are Francis Marion (fourth), Wofford (fifth), Troy (sixth) and Western Kentucky (seventh).

On Tuesday, the teams will play round three, consisting of 18 holes, to crown the winner of the tournament. The Georgia Southern tourney takes the place of the cancelled tournament in West Virginia. Today will close out the fall campaign for the Jaguars.

Contact Carlos Rodriguez at carlosjr521@gmail.com.