From the start of the match play quarterfinals, Oklahoma State was stacking birdies against Florida, averaging about six per golfer.
After going a combined 5-over-par in the first two rounds, the Gators were out of the top 15. It looked as if they wouldn’t even make it past the top-15 cut. However, No. 2 UF prevailed as it has all season, posting a 284 (-4) in Round 3. Then, the Gators scored a tournament-best 276 (-12) in Round 4, advancing to match play.
Thanks to a rough Round 4, UF couldn’t continue its upward climb and missed out on match play, accumulating an 1168 (+16). It finished in 11th and five strokes behind eighth-place Pepperdine.
Fueled by a 24-stroke lead and a career-best performance from individual champion Luke Poulter, Florida secured the 2026 championship title.
Florida women's golf finished third in the Tallahassee Regional with an 861 (-3), five strokes behind first-place Wake Forest. The third-place finish extended the Gators’ regional victory drought to nine seasons.
But while the Gators may have avoided Auburn for a second time, the Rebels proved to be more difficult. Fischer obliterated Zack Swanwick by five holes, and Collins Trolio beat Kress by four.
After five tournament wins in the 2025-26 regular season, No. 4 Florida men’s golf is poised to make a deep run in the postseason. Even though the Gators finished 10th in the Sahalee Players Championship to start the season, they placed in the top five in all nine tournaments thereafter.
The competitors' vastly different responses to hole 18 secured the 3-2 win for Auburn and knocked Florida out of the SEC Championship, extending its SEC title drought to nine seasons.
Coming off two straight tournament wins to end the 2026 regular season, No. 4 Florida women’s golf is red hot.
For much of the Calusa Cup, the No. 3 Gators were in control. They were miles ahead of their competitors at many points, looking to win their third-straight Calusa Cup.
Ultimately, Florida finished in first with an 847 (-17) and one stroke ahead of Arkansas. The Florida lineup consisted of Paula Francisco, Siuue Wu, Megan Propeck, Katelyn Huber and Elaine Widjaja. Meanwhile, Addison Klonowski participated in individual play.
No. 16 Paula Francisco is quickly becoming a star in the college golf world.
But the Gators slowed down in Round 3 and ended the invitational with an 839 (-13). Despite that score being their third-best of the season, they finished tied for third place, which was three strokes behind Tennessee and No. 20 Georgia Tech.
Ultimately, he finished with a 271 (-17), just one stroke ahead of Gainesville native Chandler Blanchet. The University of West Florida graduate’s five birdies in Round 4 were not enough to pass Castillo, who is no stranger to victory.
For most of the Gators Invitational, No. 7 Florida was ahead of its competitors.
A confidant, a motivator, a friend. Some of the many roles of UF assistant women’s golf coach Ashley Sease. Her success wearing many hats has been one of the reasons she’s impacted and energized the program in such epic fashion.
Florida hovered around third to fifth place throughout the entire Southern Highlands Collegiate. The Gators faced eight other ranked teams, but struggled immensely in the second round, leading to a loss for Florida and ending its winning streak at four.
No. 5 Florida had a consistent showing throughout the Moon Golf Invitational. There was a glimmer of hope for the Gators after Round 1. They were tied for third place with No. 7 Wake Forest and No. 9 Texas.
During one of his early tournaments, Matthew Kress made what his assistant coach now remembers as some of the worst shots he’s ever seen. Luckily, Kress has come a long way since then.
For a decent portion of the Gators Invitational, No. 10 Florida was behind No. 2 Auburn. It looked like the Gators would drop their first Gators Invitational in seven years.
Solutions by The State News
