⛳️ Round 3 is underway at the Dogwood Invitational
Rocco Salvitti leads at -12 after back-to-back 66s.
But the chasers are 🔥:
• Luke Coyle (-10) after a 63
• Sandhu with an ace yesterday
• Derbez, Bighaus, Vick all in striking range
Full recap 📊👇https://t.co/nXfXyToHeC…

— AmateurGolf.com (@amateurgolfcom) June 6, 2025

From first-time amateurs to seasoned college stars, the Dogwood is a measuring stick. And it’s not an easy one to pass.

Round 2 Recap

Notre Dame’s Rocco Salvitti continues to set the pace at the 2025 Dogwood Invitational, backing up his opening 66 with another 66 on Thursday to reach 12-under through 36 holes. The rising junior has been nearly flawless through two rounds, with just a single bogey on his card, coming Thursday, offset by seven birdies to maintain a two-shot lead at the halfway point.

A group of four players sit tied for second at 10-under, including NC State’s Michael Vick, who made three bogeys on his front nine before roaring back with an eagle at the par-5 9th and a bogey-free, five-birdie back nine for a second-round 68. West Virginia’s Kaleb Wilson continued his steady form with a second consecutive 67, while Colorado Christian’s Xavier Bighaus overcame an early stumble, bogeying two of his first four holes, to post his second straight 67 behind five birdies and an eagle on the way in.

The round of the day, and the tournament so far, belonged to Alabama’s Luke Coyle, who surged into a share of second with a dazzling 9-under 63 that featured nine birdies, one eagle, and two bogeys. His aggressive play vaulted him 11 spots up the leaderboard.

Two players sit at 9-under in a tie for sixth, highlighted by UNC’s Sihan Sandhu, who electrified the gallery with a hole-in-one at the par-3 13th, a hole he birdied in Round 1. Sandhu’s 66 pushed him firmly into contention. He’s joined by Texas’ Eduardo Derbez, who nearly matched Coyle’s fireworks with a mistake-free 64, save for a lone blemish at 17, but capped by an eagle on the closing par 5.

Round 1 leader Carter Loflin cooled off on Thursday, following his bogey-free 65 with a more modest 71 that included three bogeys and four birdies. He’ll enter Friday at 8-under, four shots off the lead and tied with Long Beach State’s Krishnav Nikhil Chopraa, who carded a 69 with another eagle, his third of the week, to stay in the hunt.

With 36 holes to play and low scores in abundance, the weekend at Druid Hills promises plenty of drama, and more fireworks, as the Dogwood Invitational hits the turn.

Round 1 Recap

University of Georgia junior Carter Loflin opened with a flawless 7-under 65 to grab the solo lead after the first round of the 2025 Dogwood Invitational at Druid Hills Golf Club. Loflin’s bogey-free effort featured seven birdies and no blemishes, setting the tone on a day when ideal conditions allowed for aggressive scoring, a hallmark of this storied event.

🚨 Round 1 Recap from the Dogwood Invitational
Carter Loflin goes bogey-free 65 to take the solo lead at Druid Hills 🐾
Full leaderboard reaction + who's chasing 👇
🎥 https://t.co/ZWWwdYCx5q#DogwoodInvitational #AmateurGolf

— AmateurGolf.com (@amateurgolfcom) June 5, 2025

🏆 The History: A Course Built for Champions

The Dogwood’s roots stretch back to 1941, when Tommy Barnes captured the first title. Even in its early years, the tournament earned a reputation for testing both skill and nerve. Played on a course originally designed by H.H. Barker and later renovated by Bob Cupp in 2003, Druid Hills Golf Club offers the kind of Golden Era architecture that rewards smart, aggressive golf.

Over the decades, the Dogwood has consistently attracted rising stars, crowning champions like:

• Webb Simpson — Dogwood winner turned U.S. Open champion
• Hudson Swafford — Dogwood winner and PGA Tour mainstay
• Brian Harman — Dogwood champion and 2023 Open Champion
• Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Matt Kuchar — all Dogwood competitors who went on to major success

📈 Breaking Down the Numbers: What Winning Looks Like at the Dogwood Invitational

Look at the Dogwood Invitational scorecards, and a pattern is clear: winners at Druid Hills go deep into red numbers. But winning isn't about posting one highlight-reel round — it’s about four days of fearless, strategic, and consistent golf.

Here’s a breakdown of the past few champions and how they got it done:

• Garrett Engle (2024): 22-under-par, with rounds of 67-67-66-66, punctuated by a rare albatross (double eagle) on the 7th hole during the final round.
• Hunter Logan (2023): 20-under-par, including a second-round 61 that vaulted him into a commanding lead.
• Carson Bacha (2022): 19-under-par, steadying himself with a bogey-free 66 in the final round under pressure.
• Louis Dobbelaar (2021): 18-under-par, navigating tricky weather delays with poise and patience.
• Brandon Mancheno (2019): 21-under-par, maintaining focus after a lightning delay halted play during the final stretch.

Updated average winning score (last five Dogwoods): -20 under par.

🌟 Stories Behind the Numbers

2024: Garrett Engle delivered one of the most impressive performances in Dogwood history, firing rounds of 67-67-66-66 to finish at 22-under-par. His final round was highlighted by a stunning albatross (double eagle) on the par-5 7th hole, helping him cruise to a five-shot victory at Druid Hills. Engle’s consistency and ability to capitalize on a huge moment proved to be the winning formula.

2023: Hunter Logan's second-round 61 wasn’t just a score—it was a statement. "That was one of those days where everything clicked," Logan said. "I felt like I could birdie every hole." He carried that momentum all the way to a dominant five-shot victory.

2022: Carson Bacha delivered a different kind of masterclass: patience. His 66 on the final day was bogey-free and methodical. "I knew the leaders would have nerves," he said. "I just wanted to make no mistakes and let them come to me."

2021: Louis Dobbelaar of Australia showed toughness. Battling weather delays, fast greens, and jet lag, he steadied himself with controlled iron play and clutch putting down the stretch.

🏌️‍♂️ The Skills That Win at Dogwood

• Scoring Wedges: Precision with short irons is critical. The course gives up birdies — but only to players who hit the right tiers on the greens.
• Smart Aggression: Champions know when to attack and when to accept par. Risk-reward par-5s often swing momentum late in rounds.
• Mental Endurance: Weather delays, scoreboard pressure, and marathon birdie streaks demand emotional control and focus.
• Fast Starts: The last three champions have either led or been within two shots of the lead after 36 holes. Get in the mix early—or risk getting left behind.

🔥 Why the Dogwood Invitational Still Matters

• A world-class venue in a major U.S. city, challenging yet scorable for bold players
• A history of launching professional careers — from Simpson to Harman to Koepka
• A community-driven spirit where players stay with local families and the atmosphere feels like a major
• A charitable mission that supports junior golfers through the Georgia Junior Golf Association and the Reynolds Scholarship Fund

🏁 The Final Word: Watch Closely

When you follow the Dogwood, you're not just watching another amateur tournament. You're seeing the future of professional golf take shape—one birdie, one decision, one championship Sunday at a time.

Think you're ready for the next level? The Dogwood Invitational will show you who truly is.