Preston Stout wins NCAA golf title, earns major exemptions

Preston Stout of Oklahoma State captured the NCAA individual title at La Costa with a final-round 69, finishing 14-under 274. The junior secured a one-shot win over Alabama’s William Jennings and will receive exemptions into this year’s U.S. Open and next year

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Preston Stout walked into the final round knowing exactly what was at stake. By the time the last holes started to tighten, he had a lead, then lost it, then found his way back again on the biggest swing of the day.

On Monday at La Costa. Stout shot a final-round 69 to win the NCAA individual title by one over Alabama’s William Jennings. He finished with a four-day total of 14-under 274. The victory came with a rare prize: Stout. listed as the third-ranked amateur in the world. will receive exemptions into this year’s U.S. Open and next year’s Masters, provided he remains an amateur.

It was also a milestone for Oklahoma State. Stout became the 10th Cowboys player to win an NCAA title and the first since Matthew Wolff in 2019.

Stout framed the moment in the simple terms that come with a lifelong competitive drive. “That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m able to win tournaments like this,” he said. “We have the best team in the world, the best coaching staff in the country.”

The last stretch didn’t come easily. Stout was 5 under through 11 holes and at one point held a five-shot advantage. Then the rhythm slipped. He dropped shots on Nos. 12, 14 and 17 and wound up tied with Jennings.

Stout didn’t let it hang there. He closed with a birdie on the par-5 18th that held up for his fifth victory this season.

Oklahoma State coach Alan Bratton said the defining factor was what happened when the pressure finally arrived. “He was ready for the moment,” Bratton said. “He’s built for that. I’ve seen him do it a number of times.”

Jennings’ day had its own sharp turns. He made double bogey on his fourth hole after starting on the back nine, but then found something steady and aggressive. He recorded six birdies in a 10-hole stretch, pulling even with Stout when he birdied the 203-yard, par-3 eighth.

With Stout staying loose in case a playoff was needed, Jennings missed key chances. After Jennings birdied the eighth, he missed the green on the par-4 ninth, his chip was too strong, and he missed the comebacker.

Jennings ended tied for 11th, closing with a 71. The setback didn’t erase the work he put in all week. “I fought pretty hard,” Jennings said. “It stinks to come up short like that, but there’s a lot of positives to take from this week.”

Stout, meanwhile, had already set the pace earlier in the championship. He shot 65 on Sunday to take a one-shot lead over Jennings through three rounds.

The NCAA tournament still had plenty of motion beyond the individual finish. The Cowboys were one of eight teams to advance to match play as they sought their second consecutive team title. Auburn earned the top seed, and Texas, Vanderbilt, Florida and Arizona also advanced.

For the final two spots, four teams played their way into contention: UCLA, Tennessee, North Carolina and Stanford.

Auburn’s Jackson Koivun, the world’s top-ranked amateur, was expected to be a factor after earlier rounds. Instead, he never got traction after shooting an even-par 72 in the third round that left him five shots off the pace. He closed with a 71 and finished in a tie for 11th.

As the NCAA championship moved from individual drama into team match play, Stout’s name had already crossed the line that matters most in amateur golf: he didn’t just win. He secured a path toward two of the biggest stages in the sport, as long as he keeps his amateur status.

Preston Stout Oklahoma State NCAA golf La Costa William Jennings U.S. Open exemption Masters exemption Alan Bratton Jackson Koivun Auburn match play