Spartans Advance to Match Play at NCAA Championships

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's golf team punched its ticket to the match play portion of the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships on Thursday after finishing tied for sixth following the final round of stroke play at PGA National Resort. This marks the first time 

Tampa fired its best round of the tournament with a 301 on Thursday to finish at 918 (+54) over 54 holes, tying CSUSM for sixth place and earning one of the tournament's eight match play berths.

The Spartans were led by Justine Bayle, who delivered Tampa's top individual finish of the championship. Bayle carded rounds of 75-74-72 to finish tied for fifth overall at five-over-par, highlighted by an even-par 72 in Thursday's final round.

Tampa Performers

• T5 – Justine Bayle: 221 (+5) | 75-74-72 | Posted Tampa's low round of the championship with an even-par 72 in round three and secured a top-five national finish.
• T31 – Ruth Toennessen: 230 (+14) | 78-75-77 | Recorded back-to-back counting scores in rounds two and three.
• T42 – Kelly Shanahan: 233 (+17) | 80-77-76 | Improved each round during the championship and helped Tampa close with its best team score Thursday.
• T48 – Kat Brictson: 234 (+18) | 80-78-76 | Delivered a key final-round 76 for the Spartans.
• T90 – Maria Mora: 255 (+39) | 82-83-90 | Competed in all three rounds for Tampa at nationals.

Wingate captured the top seed following stroke play at 13-under-par, while DBU finished second at 33-over.

The top eight teams advanced to Friday's quarterfinal match play bracket, where teams compete head-to-head across five individual matches. Each individual matchup is worth one point, with the first team to reach three points advancing to the semifinals. In the event of a 2.5-2.5 tie, tied individual matches continue in sudden-death playoff holes until a winner is determined.

Tampa opens match play competition Friday morning with a spot in the national semifinals on the line.