Auburn Clinches First NCAA Men’s Golf Title in Thrilling Victory Over Florida State!
Auburn University’s men’s golf team triumphed over Florida State to capture their first NCAA national title, closing a decisive match on Wednesday at La Costa. Senior J.M. Butler delivered the final, critical point in a dramatic anchor match, solidifying the Tigers’ historic win.
Butler, who never trailed in any of his three matches, was pivotal in securing the championship. Leading 1-up over Florida State’s Luke Clanton, Butler maintained his edge by sinking an 8-foot par putt on the 13th hole.
On the 15th, Butler gained an advantage when Clanton’s approach shot hit water, and he ended up with a double bogey, leading to Butler taking a lead of 2-up. Later, during the game at hole number sixteen, Butler impressively saved par from a bunker, strengthening his chances of winning.
Finally, thanks to his precision in approaching shots on hole seventeen and hisency throughout the game, he secured points.
Reflecting on the win, Butler said, “A college career isn’t complete without a national championship. This is for all my teammates who push me every single day.”
The match saw Auburn’s Jackson Koivun finishing his NCAA match play with a perfect 3-0 record, defeating Brett Roberts 5-and-4, and Brendan Valdes overcoming Frederik Kjettrup 4-and-3 to earn crucial points for the team. Despite solid efforts from Florida State’s Cole Anderson and Tyler Weaver, who secured wins, Auburn’s early leads and consistent play proved insurmountable.
Florida State coach Trey Jones expressed his disappointment: “Second place in the national championship is something we’ll look back on as a good season. But we came here to win, and it’s disappointing.”
Auburn, seeded sixth out of eight teams, showcased resilience and determination, advancing past North Carolina and winning a tight semi-final against Ohio State before their climactic victory against Florida State.
As Butler celebrated the win, he shared, “I’ve prepared for this moment, I’ve worked extremely hard for this. I knew I had to get out of my way and I’d come out on top.” This landmark victory marks a significant achievement in Auburn’s golfing history, setting a new standard for the program and inspiring future Tigers.
