CARLSBAD, Calif. — Jackson Koivan’s top-seeded Auburn Tigers defeated seventh-seeded UCLA 4-1 on Wednesday on the breezy La Costa Resort to win their second NCAA golf title in three years.
Koibun, who was a freshman in 2024 when Auburn defeated Florida State at La Costa for its first championship, defeated Baylor Larrabee 4-3 in what was possible his last collegiate match, in his third of 5 video games.
“I simply stayed actually constant and stored my foot on the pedal,” Koibun mentioned. “Baylor is a superb participant and I simply occurred to get the win. This was a brand new crew. We confronted some adversity early within the season, after which to see us combat again and get right here is admittedly cool.”
A couple of minutes later, Logan Riley gave Auburn a decisive third level, beating Alex Papayoannou 1-up for par on the par-5 18th within the lead group.
“It means the world and I couldn’t dream of something higher, particularly when you concentrate on the sensation that all the gamers and your entire Auburn household have behind you and assist you,” Riley mentioned. “It is not like something I’ve ever skilled earlier than. It is the craziest feeling. I can not wait to carry the trophy again to the Plains.”
Freshman Jake Albert scored his first aim for Auburn within the second sport, defeating Tyler Rowley 5-3.
The ultimate two matches stopped on the fifteenth gap the place Riley took the win. UCLA’s Josh Kim led Josiah Gilbert with 3 up, and Auburn’s Kayden Pope led Kyle Ann with 4 up.
“I am in tears. I really like these guys a lot, I really like Auburn and our program. I am so grateful,” Auburn coach Nick Clinard mentioned. “Our guys continued to do what they have been purported to do. We performed actually good golf this week from the beginning of the primary spherical. It was windy right now, in all probability the windiest day we have been right here since we have been right here. We knew we have been good ball strikers.”
Koibun has not but introduced whether or not he’ll flip professional. The world’s top-ranked newbie has a spot on the PGA Tour awaiting him after incomes his card by the PGA Tour College Accelerated Program.
The crew title capped a season wherein he began and received six of 10 video games and earned his second Fred Haskins Award as Participant of the Yr. The three-time first-team All-America has 11 profession wins and three Southeastern Convention titles.
UCLA missed out on an opportunity to win its third title, its first in match play. He received in 1988 and 2008.
