The air in Carlsbad, California, was charged with tension and determination as the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship entered its second day of competition. A field of 30 of the nation’s best collegiate golf teams, representing powerhouse programs and up-and-coming squads alike, descended upon Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s formidable North Course. For the Auburn Tigers, who started the championship with cautious optimism, day two was a test of mettle, nerve, and the sheer will to compete. Leading the way for the Tigers was none other than Jackson Koivun, but it was senior stalwart J.M. Pope who turned in the critical performance that ultimately saw Auburn vaulting into third place on the team leaderboard by day’s end.

As the second round began under a warm California sun, the Tigers knew they needed to bounce back from a first round that had left them in the middle of the pack, trailing teams like Vanderbilt, Arizona State, and North Carolina. With the cut looming and match play brackets fast approaching, every stroke counted. For Pope, who had battled inconsistencies in the opening round, the day was about redemption and finding his rhythm on the greens. Early on, he looked composed, driving the ball confidently down the fairways and playing his iron shots with precision. His approach on the par-4 3rd hole, landing the ball just 10 feet from the pin, was a sign of things to come.

Pope’s putter, which had betrayed him at times during the opening 18, found its stroke on day two. He buried the birdie putt on the 3rd hole and followed it up with another birdie on the par-5 5th. With every hole, his confidence grew, and so too did the Tigers’ momentum. His playing partners, sensing the spark, fed off the energy. Koivun continued his steady play, while sophomore Brendan Valdes also found a groove. But it was Pope’s calm determination and ability to avoid big mistakes that anchored the team’s surge up the leaderboard.

The North Course at La Costa is known for its challenging layout. The rolling fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and devilish green complexes test even the most skilled golfers. The poa annua greens can be especially tricky in the afternoon sun, but Pope read them beautifully, holing putts from all ranges and limiting his three-putts to zero on the day. His deft touch around the greens was crucial on the 8th, where he scrambled from a tricky lie in the rough to save par. That save kept his momentum alive and symbolized the Tigers’ refusal to let this championship slip away.

As the round wore on, Pope’s scorecard told the story of a player on a mission: birdies at the 3rd, 5th, 11th, and 15th, with pars sprinkled throughout and only a single bogey blemish at the 13th after a rare miscue with a wedge shot that found the greenside bunker. Even that mistake didn’t rattle him. He splashed out to 12 feet and nearly saved par, settling instead for a bogey that proved a mere speed bump in an otherwise clinical performance.

By the time he reached the 18th tee, Pope knew that his team was in contention to make a real move. His tee shot found the left side of the fairway, setting up a perfect angle into the green. With a short iron in hand, he stuck it to within six feet, drawing a loud cheer from the small group of Auburn fans who had made the cross-country trek. He calmly rolled in the birdie putt, capping a round of 68—four under par—and propelling Auburn into third place, just behind North Carolina and Vanderbilt.

The relief and pride were evident on Pope’s face as he exited the green, exchanging fist bumps with Koivun and the rest of his teammates. Head coach Nick Clinard, himself a veteran of many NCAA Championships, offered a quiet nod of approval. He knew the importance of a performance like this, not just for the day’s standings but for the confidence it instills heading into the final stretch of stroke play and the always-intense match play rounds to follow.

Beyond the numbers, Pope’s rebound was a testament to the culture that Clinard has built within the Auburn program. This is a team that has come to expect greatness from itself, one that understands how to handle the pressure of playing on college golf’s biggest stage. After finishing tied for 10th last year, the Tigers arrived at La Costa determined to prove they belong in the conversation with the nation’s elite programs. Day two was a statement in that regard, and Pope’s round was the exclamation mark.

Meanwhile, Koivun was his usual steady self. The freshman All-American has been a revelation all season, showcasing a maturity beyond his years. On day two, he carded a two-under 70 that included three birdies and just one bogey. His ability to manage the course and keep the big numbers off the scorecard has been a source of stability for the Tigers. Valdes added a 71 to the team’s total, highlighted by a stretch of three consecutive birdies on the back nine that helped keep the pressure on the leaders.

The rest of the field wasn’t standing still, of course. North Carolina, led by David Ford, continued to play aggressive golf, while Vanderbilt leaned on the experience of Gordon Sargent to remain at the top. Arizona State, who entered the day in the lead, struggled on the tricky back nine and slipped a few spots, opening the door for teams like Auburn to make their move. The final team leaderboard after day two reflected the parity and unpredictability of this championship: North Carolina atop, followed by Vanderbilt, Auburn, and a tight pack of contenders within a few strokes of each other.

For Pope, the second round was about much more than the numbers on his scorecard. It was about responding to adversity, about showing the mental toughness that defines championship golf. His calm demeanor and ability to keep his composure, even when faced with challenging pin positions and swirling winds, was a reminder that golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one.

In the locker room afterward, Pope was quick to deflect credit. “I just tried to stick to my game plan,” he said. “Hit fairways, give myself good looks, and stay patient. It’s a long week, and we’ve got a lot of golf left. I’m just glad I could help the team today.” But his teammates knew exactly how much his performance meant. In a sport where confidence can be fleeting and momentum can turn in an instant, Pope’s round was the catalyst that kept the Tigers in the hunt for a national title.

Clinard, who has guided Auburn to the NCAA Championships in 10 of the last 11 seasons, praised Pope’s resilience. “J.M. is a fighter,” he said. “He’s been a rock for us all year, and today he showed why. When you’re on this stage, you need guys who can steady the ship, and he did exactly that.” The coach also emphasized the importance of the team-first mentality. “It’s never just about one guy. Everyone contributed today. That’s what it takes to win at this level.”

Looking ahead to day three, the Tigers know the challenge will only intensify. The top 15 teams after 54 holes will advance to the final round of stroke play, with the top eight earning spots in the match play bracket that decides the national champion. Auburn’s position in third gives them a cushion, but the margin for error is slim. One cold stretch of holes could see them tumble down the leaderboard, while another inspired round could vault them into the lead.

For Pope and the Tigers, the mindset is simple: focus on the next shot, the next hole, the next opportunity. Golf at this level is about staying in the moment, and Auburn’s performance on day two suggests they’re ready for whatever comes next. The poa annua greens will only get bumpier, the pins more tucked, and the stakes higher. But with Pope leading the way and a deep, talented lineup behind him, the Tigers have every reason to believe they can finish what they started.

As the sun began to set over the La Costa Resort, painting the California sky in hues of orange and pink, the Auburn team walked off the course together. They were smiling, joking with each other, but also carrying the quiet intensity of a team that knows it has a chance to etch its name into the history books. For J.M. Pope, the day was a personal redemption and a reminder of the joy that comes from playing the game he loves at the highest level.

For the Tigers, day two was a turning point—a chance to announce themselves as legitimate contenders and to banish the ghosts of past disappointments. With two more days of stroke play ahead and the promise of match play beyond that, the stage is set for a thrilling finish. And thanks to Pope’s rebound performance, the Auburn Tigers are right where they need to be: in the hunt, brimming with belief, and ready to seize the moment.