Auburn is back on top of college golf. The top-seeded Tigers captured the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf National Championship on Wednesday, defeating seventh-seeded UCLA 4-1 at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. The victory marks Auburn’s second national title in just three years and further cements the program’s place among the sport’s elite.
Leading the charge was Jackson Koivun, the world’s top-ranked amateur and one of the most accomplished players in college golf. Competing in what could be his final collegiate event, Koivun delivered another clutch performance, defeating UCLA’s Baylor Larrabee 4 and 3 in the third match of the championship round.
Koivun, who was a freshman when Auburn narrowly defeated Florida State for the 2024 national title at the same venue, said the latest championship carried special meaning because of the team’s journey throughout the season.
“I stayed really consistent and kept my foot down on the pedal,” Koivun said. “Baylor is a great player, and I just happened to come out victorious. This was a new group of guys. We faced some adversity early on in the season. To see us battle back after that and get to this point is really a cool thing.”
Auburn Takes Control Early
Auburn wasted little time putting pressure on UCLA. Freshman Jake Albert secured the Tigers’ first point with a convincing 5-and-3 victory over Tyler Loree. Koivun followed with his win, leaving Auburn just one point away from another championship.
That decisive point came from Logan Reilly. In the lead match, Reilly battled Alex Papayoanou throughout the afternoon before closing out a dramatic 1-up victory. Needing only a par on the par-5 18th hole, Reilly delivered under pressure to clinch the title for Auburn and set off celebrations among players, coaches, and fans.
“It means the world and you can’t dream of anything better, especially with the feeling of all the guys and the Auburn family behind you and supporting you,” Reilly said. “It’s unlike anything that I’ve ever done before. This is the craziest feeling, and I can’t wait to bring home the trophy to the Plains.”
Once Reilly secured the winning point, the final two matches were halted. UCLA’s Josh Kim held a 3-up lead over Josiah Gilbert through 15 holes, while Auburn’s Cayden Pope was ahead by four against Kyle An.
Clinard Praises Team’s Resilience
For Auburn head coach Nick Clinard, the championship represented the culmination of months of hard work and resilience.
“It brings tears to my eyes,” Clinard said. “I love them so much, and I love Auburn and our program. I’m very grateful.”
Clinard pointed to the team’s consistent play throughout the tournament, particularly in difficult conditions. Strong winds swept across La Costa during the championship match, creating some of the week’s toughest conditions.
“Our guys just kept doing what they’re doing,” Clinard said. “We played some really good golf this week, right from the start in the first round. It was windier today, and probably the windiest day we’ve had since we’ve been here. I knew that we were good ball-strikers.”
Koivun Caps Remarkable College Career
The title also capped a remarkable season for Koivun. The sophomore won six of his ten starts, claimed a second Fred Haskins Award as national player of the year, and finished his collegiate career with 11 victories, including three Southeastern Conference championships. A three-time first-team All-American, Koivun has already secured a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program, though he has not yet announced when he plans to turn professional.
For UCLA, the loss ended a strong postseason run and denied the Bruins their third national championship. UCLA previously won NCAA titles in 1988 and 2008 and was seeking its first championship since the NCAA adopted the match-play format.
Instead, the day belonged to Auburn. Through strong performances from veterans and freshmen alike, the Tigers once again proved they are one of college golf’s premier programs, adding another national championship trophy to a rapidly growing collection.
