Stanford Women's Golf Wins 4th National Championship

Stanford's women's golf team just completed a perfect ending to an extraordinary season, sweeping USC to capture the 2026 NCAA National Championship in Carlsbad, California.

The top-seeded Cardinal dominated the match play final with a decisive 3-0 victory over second-seeded USC at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. It's the program's fourth national championship and a milestone achievement for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Meja Örtengren set the tone early with a commanding 6&5 victory. ACC Player of the Year Paula Martín Sampedro followed with her third match-play win of the tournament, defeating her opponent 4&2.

But the most meaningful moment came from senior Megha Ganne, who clinched the national title with a 4&3 win in her final collegiate match. The pressure of the championship round didn't faze her as she delivered when her team needed it most.

Stanford made history by becoming the first ACC team to win both the conference championship and the national championship in the same season during the match-play era. The last team to accomplish this dual feat was Duke back in 2014.

The victory extends an impressive streak for the ACC, with current conference members appearing in the championship final for five consecutive years. Wake Forest last brought home the title in 2023.

The Ripple Effect: This championship represents far more than one team's success. It's the ACC's seventh NCAA championship of the 2025-26 academic year, joining wins in cross country, soccer, swimming and diving, fencing, and tennis. The conference has now accumulated 204 NCAA team championships across all sports, showcasing the depth of athletic excellence throughout its member schools.

For these student athletes, the victory caps years of early mornings, practice rounds, and dedication to their craft. They've proven that consistency and teamwork can deliver championships.

Stanford's triumph shows what happens when talent meets opportunity and preparation meets the moment.