ASHEVILLE, NC − Tyler Watts isn't new to the PGA Tour, but he's still learning how to be a professional.
At only 18 years old, the Tennessee men's golf freshman shot 4-under 138 in his first two rounds at the Biltmore Championship Asheville. But even after a strong second round 4-under 67 on Friday, Watts felt he left something out on the course.
“It was a grind. I didn't hit it great, and then I went through stretches where I would putt it good and putt it bad. So it was all right," Watts said. "I definitely wish I did play better, but I'm happy with the two days of results.”
Watts made the cut by two shots and was be the only amateur left in the field for the final two rounds of the tournament. He shot a 63 on the final round to finish tied for 53rd
at 11 under.
This is the third PGA Tour event for Watts. He finished at 3 under at the 2025 Procore Championship in Napa, California and 4 over at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in Port Royal, Bermuda. He's currently ranked No. 2 in the World Golf Amateur Ranking.
Watts shot even-par in the first round at the Biltmore Championship. He struggled to close out the round with two bogeys and a birdie on his last three holes on day one. He started the second round with two more bogeys, but recovered with three birdies on his next four holes and seven for the round overall for the 67.
In other tournaments, Watts felt like he could play freely. But the crowds and cameras of a PGA Tour event cause him to think more and strain over every shot.
“I think I truly think today and yesterday, I honestly didn't manage it very well," Watts said. "I didn't have my golf swing, I didn't have all my best stuff, so I felt like I was just fighting as hard as I could to get the ball in play or get it in the hole, and that's more draining than if I'm on cruise control.”
Watts earned preseason first-team All-American honors from Golfweek and is on the watchlist for the Fred Haskins Award, given annually to the best golfer in Division I as voted on by players, coaches, members of the college golf media. He and Vanderbilt's Tyler Mawhinney are the only two freshmen to crack the list.
But summoning the mental strength necessary to making it through two days at a PGA Tour event is good practice for Watts.
“I think the toughest part for me, coming out here, is expectations and then just kind of the up and downs through the round," he said. "I think at my other events, the up and downs, they don't feel so emotionally like draining. Then out here, it's a lot different just trying to fight to make a cut and throw up a good score and all that because it's the biggest stage."
Watts is learning and he knows it, so he takes the struggles in stride, and using time around other PGA Tour veterans to grow as a player.
Competition took up most of his summer, so Watts has been unable to truly settle down for his freshman year. He'll be back with the Vols and putting those lessons to use.
“Coach (Brennan) Webb was obviously a big factor. He built a good relationship with me and my family at the start of recruiting and (there are) good teammates (at UT)," Watts said. "So I'm super thrilled with my teammates and I can't wait to get it going.”
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee freshman Tyler Watts is learning valuable lessons playing PGA Tour events
