Both Oklahoma State and Virginia had a ton to play for today – the Cavaliers for their first title and the Cowboys for their 12th en route to matching Houston’s 16 national titles.
Both teams had impressive seasons, and with their playing this week, it was anyone’s title.
Virginia went up early in four matches, but the momentum eventually shifted toward Oklahoma State.
The only match that the Cowboys started ahead in – Filip Fahlberg-Johnsson’s match vs. Virginia’s Maxi Puregger – was the first point on the board for Oklahoma State. Fahlberg-Johnsson got a second round of revenge on hole 17 and closed out his match 3&1. Yesterday, he had missed a short putt to win his Semifinals match on this hole and then ultimately won his Semifinals match his second time around on hole 17 after going through extra holes. We’re sure this hole will hold a special place in his memories here.
The next match that saw some momentum was the fan-favorite pairing: Virginia’s Ben James and Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout. After tying the first hole, James went up on the next three holes, his fourth hole advantage coming from an eagle on a par-4. James ultimately won 3&2 on hole 16 after lagging a birdie putt nice and close. Stout’s greenside bunker shot to extend the match was a valiant effort as it skipped over the hole; unfortunately for Stout, it wasn’t meant to be.
With one point on the board for each team, Oklahoma State quickly earned another one on the 15th hole from Gaven Lane, who was competing against Paul Chang. Chang had an early lead in the match, 1-up through hole 8, but Lane began turning the tide. His electric birdie on hole 11 after a flop shot went long was the beginning of the end. That shot countered Chang’s 35-yard bunker shot that went to a foot for a conceded birdie. Lane ultimately won 4&3.
We had two matches left to determine the national champion. The second pairing – Oklahoma State’s Eric Lee and Virginia’s Josh Duangmanee – took the spotlight as they came down hole 18. They had been fairly even all day, with E. Lee going 1-up on hole 17 to enter the last hole with an advantage.
You could tell the nerves were hitting these sophomores. Duangmanee’s drive looked wet, but he was able to find it and lay up, ultimately leaving himself a nice birdie opportunity. E. Lee’s second shot flailed right and ended up in the long grass short right of the green. After a lengthy discussion with Assistant Coach Stratton Nolan, E. Lee pulled off the shot of the tournament, running the ball to two feet from the pin. When Duangmanee missed his 12-foot birdie putt, the Cowboys officially had their third point.
The final match saw Virginia’s Bryan Lee and Oklahoma State’s Ethan Fang. B. Lee was ahead for the first 11 holes, but Fang was able to turn it around and was 1-up through 15 when the match was called.
Oklahoma State ultimately won 4-1 and cemented themselves as one of the best men’s golf programs in country. With such a young team, we’ll surely be seeing them again at Omni La Costa next year.
