Pepperdine Wins 24th Golf Title in Dramatic Final Putt

Carson Kim's hands were steady as he lined up a three-foot putt that would decide a championship. The Pepperdine junior sank it, threw his fist in the air, and gave his team their second straight conference title.

The Waves captured the 2026 West Coast Conference Men's Golf Championship on Sunday with a 4-1 victory over Oregon State at Green Valley Country Club in Fairfield, California. It marks the program's 24th conference crown and their sixth team championship in the last eight years.

Kim's clutch moment came after he stuck his approach shot within three feet on the 18th hole, setting up the championship-clinching birdie. His match against Oregon State's Antonie Jasmin was tied heading into the final hole, making every shot count.

The path to the title required winning two matches in one day. Pepperdine first defeated Augusta 4-1 in the semifinal round, with four different players earning points for the team.

Brady Siravo opened the scoring in the finals with a 1 UP victory, finishing with four birdies. Willy Walsh added another point with a 2-1 win fueled by six birdies, including two in his final three holes.

Oregon State had earned their spot in the finals by upsetting top-seeded San Diego in dramatic fashion. Collin Hodgkinson sank a birdie from five feet on the 18th hole to secure the Beavers' 3-2 semifinal victory.

But Sunday belonged to the Waves. Byungho Lee secured a fourth point moments after Kim's winning putt, giving Pepperdine the exclamation point on their dominant performance.

The Ripple Effect

This victory means more than a trophy. As the No. 15 ranked team in the nation, Pepperdine secured the conference's automatic bid to NCAA Regionals, where they'll compete for a national championship.

The team's success represents years of consistent excellence. Six conference titles in eight years doesn't happen by accident—it's built on dedication, teamwork, and the kind of pressure performance Kim displayed on that final green.

The selection show airs Wednesday on the Golf Channel, where the Waves will learn their regional assignment and continue their championship pursuit.

From that three-foot putt to the team celebration on the 18th fairway, Pepperdine proved that championships are won one shot at a time.