In the opening round of the 2026 Southern Conference Championship, Furman's men's golf team is positioned fifth, led by seniors Clark Akers and Ludvig Josefsson, both scoring a 70 to tie for 11th. Akers made a standout 1-under round with an eagle on the par-6 No. 6. Josefsson matched him with four birdies, showcasing strong performances. Furman trails the leaders, Mercer’s Nathan Trodd and Chattanooga's Camden Braidech, who each posted impressive 66s, leading the tournament at -5. The Paladins will resume play on Tuesday morning, aiming to close the gap with the leaders.

By the Numbers
  • Clark Akers: 1-under par (70), tied for 11th place.
  • Ludvig Josefsson: 1-under par (70), tied for 11th place.
  • Team Score: Furman (+1) in fifth place, trailing the leaders by four shots.
  • Leaders: Mercer and Chattanooga both at -5, five strokes ahead of Furman.
State of Play
  • The Paladins' next round starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday, playing a pairing with Mercer.
  • Chattanooga leads the tournament, with Western Carolina in second and East Tennessee State in third.
  • Furman is two shots behind fourth-place Samford.
What's Next

Furman aims to leverage its strong individual performances in the second round to advance in the standings and compete for the team title, which grants automatic NCAA Regional qualification. Players will look to improve their scores against the current leaders.

Bottom Line

Furman's performance in the SoCon Championship showcases the talent of Akers and Josefsson. With a solid strategy for the next round, the team has the potential to rise in rankings and vie for an NCAA bid.