Stanford (#1) and Southern California (#2) are in the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Golf Finals.
Southern California narrowly defeated Duke in the Quarterfinals, 3-2. It came down to the final match, where the Trojans’ Kyle Chong defeated the Blue Devils’ Anna Cañado Espinal. 4&3. Catherine Park and Bailey Shoemaker, who eagled out on Hole 11, won their matches for USC while freshman standout Rianne Malixi and Katie Li earned two points for Duke.
The Trojans played Arkansas in the Semifinals after the latter had a 5-0 record in the Quarterfinals. Once again, it came down to the anchor match, with USC’s Elise Lee defeating Natalie Blonien, 5&3. Maria José Marin earned a point for Arkansas, with Sara Brentcheneff going 1UP on the 17th hole before the match was called. USC Sophomore Jasmine Koo defeated recent LCAP recipient Reagan Zibilski. Catherine Park also won a point for USC, 3&2.
Stanford competed against Pepperdine in the morning, defeating them 5-0. Andrea Revuelta had the quickest match, going 5&4.
While Stanford’s sweep is the norm these days, what happened during the Quarterfinals that few predicted was Eastern Michigan’s win over Texas. Individual champion Farah O’Keefe couldn’t find her groove, and she ended up losing to Eastern Michigan’s Janae Leovao, 5&4.
Janae’s twin sister, Jasmine, had her moment of glory, too. On the 18th hole, she stuck her approach to about 15 feet, with Texas’ Cindy HSU – another LCAP recipient – about 45 feet behind the pin; her birdie putt was close but not close enough. Jasmine Leovao had to sink her birdie putt to win the final point for Eastern Michigan.
With all eyes on her, Jasmine’s putt just fell over the edge. Her celebration is one to be remembered, with Coach Josh Brewer and the team rushing to congratulate her. Tears were shed, and not just from the players. Eastern Michigan had one of the larger fanbases onsite.
Their energy and joy held up their momentum in their match against Stanford in the afternoon. No one knew how that would play out – the best golf program versus an unknown energy that could flip the entire dynamic. The Leovao twins and Savannah de Bock were up and leading for a couple holes before Stanford’s extensive experience took over, ending with another 5-0 sweep. Kelly Xu also has to be celebrated for her unmatched match play record at the NCAAs: 4-0-3. She’ll have a chance to extend that record in the Finals.
Eastern Michigan has to be one of the only teams that ever smiled after losing in the Semifinals. Their joy was contagious, and the gratitude to even be in that position after never having ever been to the NCAA Championship was palpable. They demonstrated true sportsmanship, congratulating the Stanford players as they came in from their matches and wishing them luck in the Finals.
One Eastern Michigan player was overheard saying, “It took the best golf program in the world to take us out.” And if that doesn’t grow their confidence, we don’t know what will.
Final Tee Times at the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Golf Championship
It’s finally time to determine the National Champions of 2026. Will Stanford continue their recent dominance or will Southern California win their fourth national title? One thing you can be sure of is the arrival of two very large fanbases, from esteemed alumni to local fans.
If you want to tune in but don’t understand match play, check out our Match Play 101 videos below.
All times are local in PT.
Final Match (off Hole 1): Stanford (#1) vs. Southern California (#2)
2:25pm: Paula Martín Sampedro (Stanford) vs. Catherine Park (USC)
2:35pm: Andrea Revuelta (Stanford) vs. Kylie Chong (USC)
2:45pm: Meja Örtengren (Stanford) vs. Jasmine Koo (USC)
2:55pm: Kelly Xu (Stanford) vs. Elise Lee (USC)
3:05pm: Megha Ganne (Stanford) vs. Bailey Shoemaker (USC)
