CARLSBAD, Calif. – The 2024-25 season came to an end on Memorial Day for the No. 16-ranked Vanderbilt men’s golf team, as the Commodores concluded the 2025 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships in a tie for 13th with a four-round score of 18-over 1,170.
Vanderbilt, which came into the NCAA Championships as the No. 13 seed, carded 3-over 291 for the second-straight round on the North Course at Omni La Costa Resort. Vandy’s performance in Round 4 put the Commodores in a tie for 13th with BYU, as each school ended the 72-hole stroke play tournament at 18-over. The Dores missed the cut for match play by seven strokes.
“Coming into today, we just wanted to have a chance coming down the stretch, and I’m super proud of our guys because they had that chance,” said Thomas F. Roush, M.D., and Family Vanderbilt Men’s Golf Head Coach Scott Limbaugh. “We were in the moment and able to block out the outside noise. We had a chance to advance, and I’m proud of that. Wells had an outstanding close to his season by going 5-under and posting the low round of the day. Our guys fought all week. We’re not advancing this year, but what these student-athletes gave to each other and Vanderbilt golf in this NCAA run was pretty special.”
Junior Wells Williams had one of the best rounds by a Commodore at the NCAA Championships, as he carded 5-under 67 to post the lowest score in Round 4. His 5-under par is the second-lowest 18-hole score vs. par at an NCAA Championship in program history. Williams becomes the fourth Commodore to card 5-under or lower in a single round at an NCAA Championship, joining Jon Curran (6-under, 2007), Matthias Schwab (5-under, 2017) and Will Gordon (5-under, 2019)
The West Point, Mississippi, native collected six birdies in Round 4, as he concludes his first NCAA Championship in a tie for 32nd at 3-over 291.
“He was big for our team today,” Limbaugh said of Williams. “To play a round like that, under the gun, was outstanding to watch. He trusted himself, played fast, and had conviction about what he was doing today. He was handling himself the right way. He had two under-par rounds for us this week, and to have him coming back as a clear-cut leader for us should be exciting.”
Freshman Ryan Downes also ended his first NCAA Championship in a tie for 32nd at 3-over 291. Downes carded 1-over 73 on Monday, matching Williams with six birdies in the round.
“Ryan is coachable, and he has gravitated towards our style of leadership of being pushed and being held accountable,” Limbaugh expressed. “The sky is the limit for him. He likes the moment. You’ve got to want the ball on days like today, and Ryan does. That’s special and is something you can build around.”
Senior Jackson Van Paris closed his Vanderbilt career by going 5-over 293 to finish in a tie for 44th. The Pinehurst, North Carolina, native posted round scores of 68-78-71-76. His 4-under 68 in Round 1 tied for the fifth-lowest 18-hole score vs. par by a Vandy golfer at an NCAA Championship.
“I’m so thankful for what JVP has given this program for the last four years,” stated Limbaugh. “I’m so thankful for his family. This senior class, with him and Gordon Sargent, set the bar super high for our program.”
Van Paris earned pro status through PGA TOUR University at the end of stroke play, as he finished No. 5 in the PGA TOUR U. rankings to gain his Korn Ferry Tour card.
No. 5-ranked Arizona State won stroke play at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships and will head into match play as the No. 1-seeded team. The Sun Devils carded 14-under 1,138 over 72 holes and went 8-under 280 in Round 4.
Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss captured individual medalist honors, carding 11-under 277 in four rounds of play at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa.
“We’re thankful to have had another opportunity to play for a national championship,” Limbaugh said. “When you’re grateful, good opportunities can happen. We wanted to play more this week. We thought we were going to play more. There are lessons learned and things to celebrate as well. I need to become a better coach and leader, and we’ve got to keep taking ownership and accountability, but also enjoying the moment.”
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