The Oklahoma State men’s golf team added an individual national championship trophy to its collection, and is in position to defend its team title over the next two days at the Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California.
OSU junior Preston Stout birdied the 72nd hole of the stroke play portion of the NCAA Championships and Alabama’s William Jennings bogeyed to give Stout a one-stroke win. He is OSU’s 10th individual champion and first since Matthew Wolff in 2019.
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Stout’s lead peaked at five shots, but he was tied for the lead when he stepped to the final tee. He came up just short of reaching the par-5 18th green in two shots, but chipped up and made a short putt for the decisive birdie.
“That’s what we practice so hard for, is moments like that,” Stout said in the post-round television interview. “I wish I wouldn’t have made it so stressful coming down 18, but that’s why we practice and why we go to Oklahoma State, for moments like that.”
Stout finished with a four-round total of 14-under-par 274, capped by a 3-under 69, playing with OSU coach Alan Bratton at his side for the entire round.
“What a treat to be standing next to a guy doing that and trying to make some history,” Bratton said. “I told him he’s ready for the moment. He’s built for that.
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“Everybody in the field wanted to be in the spot he was and it was awesome to watch him get it done.”
The Cowboys finished tied for fourth to qualify for the eight-team match play bracket that will decide the national champion. Trying to defend the team title, which was the program’s 12th, OSU will face Florida in the quarterfinal match Tuesday.
The semifinals are set for Tuesday afternoon, with the 36-hole finals on Wednesday.
More: Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout charges to lead, Cowboys 4th at NCAA golf championships
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on X at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout wins 2026 NCAA championship
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