Auburn Men’s Golf Advances to National Championship

Auburn men’s golf team advanced to the national championship after defeating Oklahoma State 5-0 on May 27, 2026. The Tigers will face UCLA in the title match on Wednesday.

What happened

Auburn’s win over Oklahoma State was a major accomplishment for the team, which included veteran players and freshmen. The Tigers secured their third point with two matches still in progress. Freshman Logan Reilly said, ‘Coach said be ready to go and get a point on the board early. I came out firing and I just wanted to dominate.’ Reilly defeated Oklahoma State’s Eric Lee 7&5, while Josiah Gilbert battled back from a two-hole deficit against Ethan Fang, finishing 4&3 after making a long birdie putt on hole 15. Cayden Pope earned the final point for Auburn, winning his match 3&2 with a solid comeback strategy. Jackson Koivun and Jake Albert were leading their matches when Auburn clinched victory. Koivun remarked on the tough competition posed by world No. 3 amateur Preston Stout.

Why it matters

The championship match against UCLA is crucial for Auburn, aiming to secure its second title in three years. UCLA recently defeated Arizona 3.5-1.5, raising the stakes for Auburn as it seeks to maintain its competitive momentum.

Background

Auburn reached the semifinals after a strong quarterfinal victory on May 23, 2026. The team’s success this season follows previous championships in 2024 and 2025, establishing Auburn as a leading program in collegiate golf.

What's next

Auburn will compete against UCLA on May 28, 2026. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:25 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on Golf Channel starting at 5 p.m. CT.