CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson’s men’s golf team had a comeback victory over Michigan and a loss to Charlotte at the first day of play at the Barbara Nicklaus Cup at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio on Monday. Clemson defeated the Wolverines by a 3.5-2.5 score then dropped a 4.5-1.5 decision to Charlotte.
Clemson’s top player for the day was freshman Daniel McBrien, who won both his matches. He defeated Michigan’s Spence Shropshire, 2-up in the morning, then defeated Charlotte’s Lake Williams, 3 &2 in the afternoon. He was the only Clemson golfer who had a perfect record on Monday in the men’s competition.
Gabriel Holtz won the pivotal match over Michigan’s Dean Muratore, 1-up when he made a birdie on the ninth hole, the final hole of the #3 singles match. Holtz, a freshman from Boca Raton, Fla., never led in the match until the final hole. On that hole he hit his approach on the 417-yard par four to within three feet. Muratore conceded the putt to give Holtz the victory and the team victory to the Tigers.
McBrien won earlier with a 2-up win over Spencer Shropsire in dramatic come-from-behind fashion. The Clemson freshman from Holly Springs, N.C. was four-down after eight holes in his match, then won six of the last 18 holes to claim the victory. He won the last two holes, the eighth and ninth holes on the course, to claim the victory.
North Carolina native and North Carolina transfer Hampton Roberts also won his match at number-two singles with a 2&1 triumph over R.J. Arone. He also trailed after the first nine and never had the lead in the match until the after the 15th hole. He then made birdie on two of the last three holes to gain the victory.
McBrien won his match against Charlotte and Clemson’s top player Oscar Valdemar Holm Bredkjær tied Charlotte’s Seb Cave to give Clemson a half point.
Competition in the match play formatted tournament will conclude on Tuesday. Live scoring is available HERE.
A.M. Match Clemson 3.5, Michigan 2.5
Oct. 5, 2026 at Muirfield Village, Dublin, OH
#6 Biagio Gagliardi (Clemson) tied Mackey Beckett (Michigan)
#5 Daniel McBrien (Clemson) def. Spencer Shropshire (Michigan), 2-up
#4. Jordan Hwang (Michigan) def. Rich Wills (Clemson) 4&3
#3 Gabriel Holtz (Clemson) def. Dean Muratore (Michigan), 1-up
#2 Hampton Roberts (Clemson) def. R.J. Arone (Michigan) 2&1
#1 Niay Naik (Michigan) def. Oscar Bredkjaer (Clemson) 2&1
P.M. Match Charlotte 4.5, Clemson 1.5
Oct. 5, 2026 at Muirfield Village, Dublin, OH
#6 Alex Bock (Charlotte) def Biagio Gagliardi (Clemson), 3&2
#5 Daniel McBrien (Clemson) def. Lake Williams (Charlotte), 3&2
#4. Chase Clive (Charlotte) def Rich Wills (Clemson) 1up
#3 Daniel Boone (Charlotte) def. Gabriel Holtz (Clemson), 2&1
#2 Frazer Jones (Charlotte) def. Hampton Roberts (Clemson) 4&3
#1 Oscar Bredkjaer (Clemson) tied Seb Cave (Charlotte), Tied