CARLSBAD, Calif. – The 2025-26 season came to an end for the No. 11-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team in the quarterfinals of match play at the 2026 NCAA Championships, as the Commodores dropped a 3-2 decision to No. 12-ranked Arizona on Tuesday.
Vanderbilt, which was playing in the quarterfinals of match play at the NCAA Championships for the eighth time, fell in the round for the fifth time in program history. The Commodores advanced to match play after placing third in stroke play with a four-round score of 12-under 1,140.
“Just an awesome ride,” said Scott Limbaugh, Thomas F. Roush, M.D., and Family Vanderbilt Men’s Golf Head Coach. “These boys put on a show these last couple of weeks. I could not be prouder of a group. We’ll take our chances with Wells out there every time. He made the shots, and he made the plays. We just came up one short.”
The match came down to senior Wells Williams and Arizona’s Zach Pollo. Williams erased a 2-down deficit heading into Hole 12, as he posted a birdie on Hole 16, followed up by a clutch eagle on Hole 17. Unfortunately, Williams put his tee shot on Hole 18 into the water to open the door back up for Pollo, as Arizona forced extra holes.
On Hole 19, both golfers had missed putts from within five yards to force a 20th hole. Williams approached the edge of the green from the fairway on his 20th hole but was unable to sink a putt from 10-plus feet out. Arizona sank a 4-foot putt to claim the victory.
Vanderbilt claimed the first point of the match, as freshman Will Hartman posted a 6&5 win. It was the largest margin of victory by a Commodore in match play at an NCAA Championship.
The Wildcats pulled even shortly after Hartman’s victory, as Taishi Moto had a 4&3 victory over junior Chase Nevins. Sophomore Ryan Downes put the Dores back up with a 4&3 victory. After taking an early 2-up lead through seven holes, freshman Jon Ed Steed had trouble closing out his match, as he dropped a 3&2 decision to Tianyi Xiong.
“I’m super proud of Ryan and Will for going out there and setting the tone for us. This hurts. I told the team that you can’t fall if you’re not willing to climb. I’m so proud of the courage they showed throughout the season.
“I want to give a special thanks to the Williams family. What they’ve given and meant to me and Vanderbilt golf. I’m so proud of Wells and his future. Vanderbilt golf is about the people, and obviously, we’re hurting today, but I’m also excited about what this team gave us this week. Now is not the time to talk about the future, but we’ve got some special guys coming in next season. We appreciate everyone’s support this season, and I’m looking forward to getting back here with this bunch.”
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