No. 1 Auburn golf captured its second national title in three years Wednesday, taking down No. 23 UCLA 4-1.
Auburn never trailed in Wednesday’s match, capping off a memorable season with a national championship.
“It brings tears to my eyes. I love them so much, and I love Auburn and our program. I’m very grateful,” Auburn coach Nick Clinard said. “Our guys just kept doing what they’re doing. 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."
Setting the tone for the Tigers, Logan Reilly took the first hole and never trailed against UCLA’s Alex Papayoanou. The Lovettsville, Virginia, native clinched the match for Auburn with a par on No. 18.
“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.”
Auburn star Jackson Koivun was dominant once again, clinching his match and the Tigers’ second point with a birdie putt on No. 15.
“I stayed really consistent and kept my foot down on the pedal,” Koivun, the world’s No. 1 amateur, 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 has now claimed two of the last three national championships and doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon, as there were no seniors on the squad this season.
“We’re young, and we don’t have any seniors on the roster,” Clinard said. “I thought the connectivity, the heart, the love and care for each other was really special.”
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Rory Garvin, junior in journalism sports production, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Spring 2025. Garvin previously served as a Sports Reporter. He is currently serving as the Assistant Sports Editor.
