Musselman Captures Kentucky Open Crown

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A birdie on the opening hole was a sign of good things to come for senior men’s golfer Cooper Musselman. The Louisville, Kentucky, native fired a four-under par, 67, to earn the individual crown at the three-round Kentucky Open at the par-71 Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville. 

Musselman is the second Wildcat to claim an individual event during the summer ranks, joining classmate Tyler “Chip” McDaniel who previously this summer took home the title at the Kentucky State Amateur. 

Musselman posted a 54-hole score of 206 to edge out the second-place finisher by a mere stroke. UK’s steady senior saved his best golf for the final day with a flawless round that saw three birdies fall in his round’s opening six holes. Musselman’s birdie on the par-five 10th would put him in tremendous position for a run at the title. He clinched the win with pars on the remaining eight holes to preserve the perfect outing.

He began the week with rounds of 69 and 70 to put himself in contention to take home the crown. His second round featured four birdies on the back nine, while his opening round saw him fight off three bogeys with four birdies on the day for the under-par score. 

The leaderboard was filled with Kentucky men’s golfers as Matt Liston placed sixth with a 2-under effort. Evan Cox finished in a tie for 12th following a 1-over par tournament, and Fred Allen Meyer was the fourth Wildcat to finish in the top 20 when he placed in a tie for 19th at 3-over for the week. 

Founded in 1966, Hurstbourne Country Club is a member-owned world-class 18-hole course. 

Musselman finished in sixth place at last year’s tournament with a three-day score of 209. He is the first UK winner of the event since J.B. Holmes and Cale Barr combined to win the in three-consecutive years from 2003-05. Holmes won the first two years and Barr took home the crown in 2005.  

For the latest on the Kentucky men’s golf team, follow @UKMensGolf on Twitter and on the web at UKathletics.com.