In a thrilling showdown at the 2026 ACC Men’s Golf Championship, the Virginia Cavaliers emerged victorious, claiming their second consecutive title in the tournament. The championship, held at Shark’s Tooth Golf Club in Lake Powell, Florida, saw the Cavaliers defeat top-seeded Stanford 3-2 in the final match.
A Historic Victory
This marked the second time in program history that Virginia has claimed the title, becoming the first team to repeat as champions since Georgia Tech’s back-to-back victories in 2018 and 2019. This victory also etched Head Coach Bowen Sargent’s name in the annals of ACC history, making him the 10th coach to secure multiple ACC men’s golf titles.
Road to the Title
The Cavaliers’ path to the championship was not without its hurdles. They first had to fend off third-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals in a match that went right down to the wire. With the score tied at 2-2, it was Virginia’s Josh Duangmanee who turned the tide with a long birdie putt on the 19th hole to defeat North Carolina’s Grant Roscich and send his team to the title match.
Final Match Highlights
Riding the wave of their semifinal victory, Virginia came out strong in the final match, securing two straight victories. In the opening match:
- Ben James delivered a 6&5 win over Stanford’s Jay Leng, carding five birdies in his round.
- Bryan Lee added to Virginia’s tally by defeating Stanford’s Ethan Gao 4&3.
Stanford’s Edan Cui, however, did not go down without a fight, winning his match over Virginia’s Michael Lee 1UP. But it was Virginia’s Paul Chang who clinched the title with a 3&2 victory over Stanford’s Dean Greyserman, going a perfect 3-0 in match play.
Looking Ahead
With the ACC championship under their belt, Virginia and the rest of the ACC now turn their attention to the 2026 NCAA Regionals. The selection show for this major event is set for Wednesday, May 6, at 2 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. Given their recent victory, the Cavaliers will undoubtedly be a team to watch in the upcoming competition.
(Photo Credit: UVA Sports, ACC Championship)