Oklahoma Sooners Advance to NCAA Match Play Quarterfinals, Set for Epic Bedlam Clash Against Oklahoma State in National Championship Chase

The Oklahoma Sooners men’s golf team took another significant step toward their national championship aspirations by advancing to the match play quarterfinals of the NCAA Championship. Now, in a compelling twist of fate, the Sooners are set to face in-state rival Oklahoma State in a Bedlam showdown with national stakes.

The Sooners secured their place among the final eight after a steady and determined performance through 72 holes of stroke play at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California. Their consistency over four rounds of grueling competition helped them survive the cut and earn a coveted spot in the championship bracket. The NCAA Golf Championship is widely considered one of the most mentally and physically demanding tests in collegiate sports, and Oklahoma rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

Under head coach Ryan Hybl, the Sooners have cemented themselves as a national power in collegiate golf. This year’s squad, composed of a balanced mix of experience and youth, has showcased resilience, depth, and chemistry all season long. Those qualities were on full display as Oklahoma ground out rounds of 286, 285, 289, and 287 across four days of stroke play, finishing sixth on the team leaderboard to clinch their ticket to the match play rounds.

Oklahoma’s star of the week has been junior Ben Lorenz, whose poise and performance paced the Sooners through the demanding La Costa layout. Lorenz fired a tournament total of even-par 288, which placed him among the top-25 individuals in a field loaded with All-Americans and future PGA Tour hopefuls. He displayed steady ball-striking and a confident putting stroke throughout the championship, earning critical birdies in key stretches when the team needed momentum.

Joining Lorenz in Oklahoma’s top performances was redshirt senior Drew Goodman, a seasoned competitor with multiple NCAA appearances under his belt. Goodman delivered timely rounds and acted as a calming presence for his younger teammates. His third-round 70 proved to be a turning point, keeping the Sooners inside the top eight when pressure was mounting across the course.

Perhaps the most crucial component of Oklahoma’s success this week was their depth. Every player on the five-man squad contributed meaningful scores over the course of four rounds, which is often the difference between advancing and going home. That depth will be even more vital in match play, where individual duels can shift the momentum of the entire contest.

Now, the narrative only gets richer with the Bedlam rivalry reignited on the NCAA’s biggest stage. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are no strangers to high-stakes meetings, but this quarterfinal clash carries even more gravity. The Cowboys, who finished third in stroke play, will enter the match play portion with confidence and firepower of their own. They boast one of the deepest rosters in the field and were led in stroke play by All-American Jonas Baumgartner, who finished inside the top 10 individually.

Bedlam in golf may not carry the same outward intensity as it does on the football field, but for those inside the ropes, it’s just as emotional and competitive. These two programs, separated by just over 80 miles, have traded blows for decades on the fairways and greens. Each match has implications beyond a single tournament—it’s about pride, identity, and tradition.

This particular edition of Bedlam has been years in the making. Both programs have national titles in their storied histories. Oklahoma last won the NCAA title in 2017 under Hybl, and they’ve made several deep runs since. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, remains the winningest program in NCAA men’s golf history, with 11 national championships to their name and a reputation for producing PGA Tour stars like Rickie Fowler, Viktor Hovland, and Matthew Wolff.

But none of that legacy matters when the first tee shots are struck Tuesday morning in Carlsbad. Match play is golf’s great equalizer, stripping away the safety net of a bad round and pitting one player directly against another in a test of nerve, strategy, and execution. It’s winner-take-all for each pairing, and with five matches comprising the team result, every hole counts.

Coach Hybl knows that better than anyone. He’s guided Oklahoma through match play on numerous occasions and knows what it takes to win. His preparation has always emphasized a strong mental game, course management, and adaptability—traits that are invaluable in a one-on-one match play environment.

“Match play brings out the competitor in every player,” Hybl said after Monday’s final round of stroke play. “It’s about staying present and winning one hole at a time. We’ve got guys who embrace that challenge. We’ve been building toward this all year, and now it’s time to go earn it.”

The Sooners’ preparation for match play has been evident all season. In various spring tournaments, they faced elite opponents and tested different lineup combinations, allowing younger players to gain experience under pressure. Freshman standout Chase Sienkiewicz has been a revelation, showing maturity beyond his years and delivering clutch performances throughout the postseason. His fearless style of play may prove to be an asset in match play, where bold shot-making can tilt matches.

Sophomore Jaxon Dowell is another player to watch in the quarterfinals. He showed flashes of brilliance in stroke play and has a knack for grinding out halves and wins in tight matches. Dowell’s competitive fire and consistent iron play make him a formidable opponent for any Cowboy.

Of course, Oklahoma’s focus will need to be sharp from the opening hole. Oklahoma State is unlikely to give away anything. The Cowboys are led by head coach Alan Bratton, whose program consistently fields some of the most prepared and focused players in the nation. With Baumgartner, Bo Jin, and Eugenio López-Chacarra anchoring the team, OSU will try to apply pressure early and force mistakes.

But the Sooners are built to withstand that kind of pressure. They’ve shown all season that they can win in a variety of ways—low scoring shootouts, grind-it-out battles, and everything in between. That versatility will be crucial in match play, where weather, nerves, and match momentum can shift quickly.

The Bedlam quarterfinal will also serve as a showcase for college golf to a broader audience. The NCAA Championship’s match play format, introduced in 2009, has added drama and visibility to the event. Televised coverage allows fans to watch the best teams in the nation battle for glory in a format that mirrors the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup. For the players, it’s a chance to compete in a high-pressure environment that mirrors professional team competition.

For Oklahoma, the opportunity to knock off their biggest rival with a Final Four spot on the line adds an extra layer of motivation. But they’re also careful not to let the rivalry overshadow their primary goal—bringing another national title back to Norman.

“We’re not just here to play Oklahoma State,” said Goodman. “We’re here to win a championship. It just so happens that Bedlam is part of the path. We respect their team, but we believe in our guys. We’re going to show up ready.”

The Sooners know that winning Tuesday won’t come easy. Each shot will be magnified, every missed putt could swing a match, and emotions will run high. But that’s exactly the kind of environment they’ve been preparing for.

The winner of the Bedlam quarterfinal will advance to the semifinals, where a national title will be just two victories away. For the Sooners, this is the moment they’ve been building toward all season—a chance to prove that their program still belongs among the sport’s elite.

A rivalry, a national stage, and a shot at glory. The Sooners wouldn’t want it any other way.