CARLSBAD, Calif. – For the second time in three years, the top-seeded Auburn Men’s Golf team will play in the Championship Match, defeating both No. 15 Stanford, 3-1-1, in the quarterfinals and No. 5 Oklahoma State, 5-0, in the semifinals on Tuesday. The Tigers will face No. 23 UCLA on Wednesday at 2:25 p.m. PT/4:25 p.m. CT for the 2026 NCAA Title.
“I just think our guys are playing with confidence, grit and so much heart,” said head coach Nick Clinard. “What Jake Albert did as a freshman and what Logan Reilly did as a freshman, these guys are just tough. I believe in them, our whole staff believes in them and their teammates believe in them.
“I’m going to tell my team that I’m proud of you, proud of you for winning stroke play as we came here to do that, and proud of you for making it to the final match. I want them to enjoy it. You never know when you’re going to be back. I remember in 2024, I told myself that in the mirror. I said I don’t know if I’ll ever be back in this situation, but I’ve worked like crazy to get there. Enjoy the walk and go compete. Play hard for the brand and play hard for each other.”
“Today was great,” said Jackson Koivun. “To see our young guys step up and perform was awesome. I wish I was a little more help these past two matches, but I’m excited to go out there and play UCLA tomorrow.
“This is another chance at a national championship. It feels amazing. All year, it’s felt like we can do that again. We won in 2024, and that was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life. To have a chance to grab that tomorrow, it feels great.”
(1) No. 1 Auburn def. (5) No. 5 Oklahoma State, 5-0
Logan Reilly def. Eric Lee, 7&5
In the opening match, Logan Reilly wasted little time jumping out to a big lead over Eric Lee. The freshman piled up four birdies, including three in a row from holes 6-8, to close out the first point for the Tigers.
Jackson Koivun vs. Preston Stout, 1UP (18th Hole)
Tuesday’s featured match included the top-ranked amateur in the world in Jackson Koivun and Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout. Koivun owned a 2UP lead thanks to two birdies in his opening five holes. Stout kept the match close throughout the afternoon, however. Back-to-back birds from Koivun on 12 and 13 let him maintain his lead. Koivun was leading 1UP on the 18th just as Cayden Pope closed out the final point.
Jake Albert vs. Gaven Lane, 1UP (18th hole)
Fresh off a 6&5 win in the first match of the day, Jake Albert continued his consistent play in the afternoon against the Cowboys. Before the Pope’s deciding point, Albert had carded five birdies and just one bogey. OSU’s Gaven Lane had flipped the match on the 12th before Albert picked up birdies on 14 and 17 to take the 1UP advantage.
Josiah Gilbert def. Ethan Fang, 4&3
Three straight birdies from Josiah Gilbert on No. 9, 10 and 11 gave him a lead he wouldn’t surrender. An eagle on 13 and a birdie on 15 handed the Orange and Blue its second point on the board.
Cayden Pope def. Filip Fahlberg-Johnson, 3&2
Junior Cayden Pope played the anchor role well. After a bogey on the third hole, Pope played clean golf, dialing up four birdies to close out his match 3&2 and lift Auburn to Wednesday’s championship match.
(1) No. 1 Auburn def. (8) No. 15 Stanford, 3-1-1
Nathan Wang def. Jackson Koivun, 2-UP
Logan Reilly def. Dean Greyserman, 2&1
Freshman Logan Reilly battled for a 1UP lead at the turn, thanks in part to three birdies on the front side. Despite Dean Greyserman wining two straight holes, Reilly countered with two of his own to flip the match back in favor of the Orange and Blue. He would burry a long putt on the 8th hole (his 17th of the day) to clinch his match, 2&1, and secure the victory for the No. 1 Tigers.
Jake Albert def. Ethan Gao, 6&5
No one had a better morning than Jake Albert. The Blacksburg, Virginia native shot out of a cannon, birdieing five of his first eight holes to take a commanding lead. Six up at the turn, Albert never looked back, closing out his NCAA match play debut, 6&5.
Josiah Gilbert def. Jay Leng, 3&2
A tidy birdie to open the day gave Gilbert the early advantage over Jay Leng. Gilbert was one down after four holes before turning on the jets and birdieing each of his next three holes to put himself ahead. Once play moved to the front nine, steady play from the junior saw him climb to as much as 3UP before he closed out the match on his 16th hole of the day.
Cayden Pope vs. Edan Cui, Tied (15th Hole)
Selected for anchor duties, the Second Team All-SEC selection was up to the task. Despite opening with a birdie, Pope trailed nearly the entire match. A birdie on his 10th hole of the day and a clutch par on No. 4 tied the match. The Tigers closed out the match before Pope got a chance to finish.