Auburn Golfer Josiah Gilbert Wins Second National Title

Josiah Gilbert's golf career keeps reaching new heights, and his latest achievement shows what dedication can accomplish.

The Auburn University golfer just won his second NCAA championship in three years, capping off a stellar junior season that included First Team All-SEC honors and an All Southeast Region selection. Gilbert first turned heads at Stanhope Elmore High School in Alabama, where he finished tied for second in the 2023 Class 6A state tournament, the best finish in school history.

Since arriving at Auburn on scholarship, Gilbert has collected accolades like golf balls on a driving range. He made the All-SEC Freshman team while winning his first national title. As a sophomore, he earned Second Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American honors.

This season's championship run tested the Tigers' resolve. Despite entering the NCAA Athens Regionals as the top-ranked team, Auburn struggled through the first two days and barely squeezed into the national tournament with a third-place regional finish. Gilbert refused to let the rough start define his team, posting a final round of 69 to finish with an 11-under score and a top-five regional finish.

The team carried that fighting spirit to the NCAA Championships at Omni LaCosta Champions Course in Carlsbad, California. Gilbert led Auburn through the stroke play portion, finishing third individually at 11-under par. He then won crucial matches against Stanford's Jay Leng in the quarterfinals and Oklahoma State's Ethan Fang in the semifinals, helping secure the title.

"It feels amazing to be able to win another championship," Gilbert said. "It's what we dream of and work for every day."

Why This Inspires

Gilbert's journey from small-town Alabama standout to two-time national champion shows the power of consistent excellence. He didn't just arrive at Auburn and coast on talent. Each season brought new challenges and higher expectations, and each season he answered by elevating his game.

His team's championship path made the victory even sweeter. When Auburn stumbled at regionals, Gilbert and his teammates could have panicked or pointed fingers. Instead, they fought through adversity and used those tough rounds as fuel for their national tournament run.

With one more college season ahead, Gilbert has already set his sights on a third championship ring, proving that true champions never stop reaching higher.