No. 18 Vanderbilt Men’s Golf secured a second-place finish at its NCAA Regional in Amherst, Virginia, clinching a spot in the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship for the 11th consecutive year — the third-longest active streak in the nation. The top five teams from each regional advance, and the Commodores secured their spot by posting a 6-under-par total of 834.
Vanderbilt aimed to reset at Liberty University’s Poplar Grove Golf Club following a disappointing performance at the SEC Championship. The Commodores’ talent was enough to earn them a No. 3 seed in the Amherst Regional, despite their regular season falling short of expectations.
“Our guys are excited and enthusiastic to get the NCAA Tournament going,” head coach Scott Limbaugh said before the event. “It feels like a new season with a lot of new opportunities, and we need to appreciate those opportunities.”
Vanderbilt’s starting lineup featured All-SEC Second Team honorees Jackson Van Paris and Wells Williams, along with Ryan Downes, John Broderick and Chase Nevins. Ben Loomis was also available as an alternate.
Van Paris, currently ranked No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and No. 7 on the PGA TOUR University leaderboard, is looking to cap off his standout collegiate career with a strong postseason and a shot at a professional tour card.
Taking on the 7,212-yard, par-70 layout, Vanderbilt opened the tournament with a 2-under 278 to place third after Round 1. Van Paris led the way with a 3-under 67, tying for second among individuals. Nevins also finished with a 1-under 69, while Downes and Williams posted 70 and 72, respectively. All four scoring Commodores ended the day inside the top 40 of the 87-player field.
“I thought as a team, we got off to a fine start,” Limbaugh said after Day 1. “We had all five guys in it for most of the day. I saw a lot of good things. It was a great round by Chase [Nevins]. He gave us some momentum early.”
On Day 2, Vanderbilt once again finished under par with a team score of 1-under, moving into second place overall — just one stroke behind rival Tennessee. Van Paris continued his torrid pace with a second straight 67, giving him a two-shot individual lead entering the final round. Williams impressed with a round of 68 while Downes followed closely behind with a 69. Williams, a 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup selection, carded one of just two eagles on the day with a three on the par-five 11th hole. Nevins and Broderick struggled, both finishing several strokes over par.
“It was big for us to get off to a fast start,” Limbaugh said. “We were focused on one step at a time. That’s what we’ve built our program on.”
Vanderbilt saved its best for last, posting a 3-under 277 in the final round to secure second place behind No. 8 Oklahoma, which surged ahead with a remarkable 11-under team effort.
Van Paris cemented his status as one of the world’s top amateur golfers, firing a 2-under 68 to claim his second collegiate title and first on American soil. His 8-under 202 total was the lowest of his collegiate career and earned him a three-stroke victory.
Downes capped his impressive first-year campaign with his third top-10 finish, tying for sixth after a final round of 68. Williams finished even-par for both the round and the week, while Broderick rebounded from a tough start to shoot 71 in the final round.
“Good players have to play well at this time of year if your team is going to advance,” Limbaugh said after the tournament. “It’s no secret we needed Jackson [Van Paris] to step up and play great this week. There’s been a lot going on, and to see the guys advance is really special. I know our fans will show up for our team next week. We’re just now starting to catch the right kind of momentum.”
The Commodores will look to win a national championship as they take on the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship from May 23-28 at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, California.
