Full Breakdown
NCAA Men’s Golf Championship Field Set: Regional Qualifiers Secure Spots
5/22/2026, 12:14:00 AM
Regional Qualifiers Overview
The six NCAA regionals have produced the 30-team field for the 2026 men’s championship. Ole Miss (third) and Mississippi State (fifth) secured spots from the Winston-Salem Regional, while the Athens, Ga., Regional sent Vanderbilt, Louisville, Auburn, Brigham Young and Georgia as the top five teams. Individual highlights include UL senior Malan Potgieter (tied for medalist) and Mississippi State’s Garrett Endicott, who posted the Bulldogs’ lowest individual tournament score. BYU earned a fourth-place finish, completing the roster.
Background: NCAA Regional Format
Each regional comprises 54 holes of stroke play. The five lowest-scoring teams and the best individual not on a qualifying team advance to the national championship, scheduled for May 29–June 3 at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.
Standout Performances
- Malan Potgieter (UL) shot a bogey-free 68, finishing 14-under-par (199) to share medalist honors with Vanderbilt’s Will Hartman.
- Cameron Tankersley (Ole Miss) posted three birdies and an eagle, moving to 16-under-par and second place individually.
- Garrett Endicott (Mississippi State) recorded a 5-under 66, also 14-under-par (199), the Bulldogs’ lowest individual tournament score.
- Parker Bunn (BYU) totaled 6-under-par (207), earning a tie for 10th and MVP recognition.
- Josiah Gilbert (Auburn) finished at –11, fourth on the leaderboard, anchoring Auburn’s third-place team finish.
Data & Statistics
- Ole Miss: third place, 30-under-par tournament.
- Mississippi State: fifth place, 5-under-par team total.
- Auburn: third place, 22-under-par.
- BYU: fourth place, 20-under-par, one stroke ahead of host Georgia (19-under).
- Low individual scores: Potgieter, Endicott, Hartman –14 (199); Bunn –6 (207); Gilbert –11.
Official Statements & Responses
UL coach Theo Sliman lauded Potgieter’s consistency, citing his patience and calmness under pressure. BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank praised Parker Bunn’s contributions, naming him the team’s MVP. NCAA officials confirmed the Carlsbad venue, the 30-team field and the match-play cut to eight after four rounds.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Doing what he did, especially as an individual, that was really impressive,” — Theo Sliman, UL coach
- “This was probably my best ball-striking performance in four years of college golf,” — Malan Potgieter, UL senior
- “Parker Bunn was our MVP,” — Bruce Brockbank, BYU head coach
- “Bruce Brockbank has made an incredible impact over his years at BYU and leaves a legacy that will long be remembered,” — Brian Santiago, BYU athletic director
- “I’m so excited for our team,” — Bruce Brockbank, BYU head coach
What’s Next
The 30 qualifiers will meet at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, starting Friday, May 29. After four rounds of stroke play, the field will be reduced to eight for the match-play championship.
