Sooners Shine: Advancing to Match Play for Thrilling Bedlam Quarterfinal Showdown

CARLSBAD, Calif. – The Oklahoma men’s golf team is back in the spotlight, earning a spot in match play at the NCAA Championships for the seventh time since 2016. This achievement puts them ahead of any other program during this period.

Ranked sixth, the Sooners completed 72 holes with an even par score of 1,152 at the challenging par-72, 7,480-yard North Course of Omni La Costa. They’ve secured the No. 5 seed and will go against their in-state rivals, Oklahoma State, in the quarterfinals.

Head coach Ryan Hybl expressed excitement about competing for the national title. “We had great moments over the last few days,” he said, acknowledging there were areas they’d like to improve. What counts, however, is making it to this stage and having a chance to win.

This matchup marks the first time these two rival teams will meet in NCAA match play. Oklahoma has a 2-4 record in quarterfinals, and their last appearance was in 2022. If they advance, they could compete against top-seeded Arizona State or eighth-seeded Ole Miss later in the afternoon.

Two Oklahoma players, Clark Van Gaalen and Drew Goodman, made the NCAA All-Tournament team with impressive finishes. Van Gaalen, a freshman, finished tied for 13th but slipped to that position after a challenging final round. He’s one of only two freshmen to finish in the top 15. Goodman wrapped up his collegiate stroke play career with a solid performance, tying for 15th, and holds several records at the university, including the most par-or-better rounds played.

Sophomore Ryder Cowan also made waves, finishing tied for 22nd. He’s eager to make his NCAA match play debut, sporting an impressive match play record of 5-1-1. Other team members, like Jase Summy and PJ Maybank III, contributed to a strong team performance despite individual ups and downs.

As the team gears up for their match at 9:40 a.m. CT on Tuesday, fans are eager to see how they perform against Oklahoma State. Meanwhile, Arizona State topped the stroke play portion of the championship and will face Ole Miss, while other high-ranked teams also advanced.

This year’s tournament highlights the competitiveness of college golf, with the top seven ranked teams making it through to this stage. Historically, the NCAA Championships have showcased rising talent and intense rivalries, making it a thrilling event for players and fans alike.

For those following the action, Golf Channel will broadcast the quarterfinals starting at noon CT. Live scoring can also be tracked via Scoreboard by Clippd.



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