Stanford tops Texas to win first NCAA title since 2007

Henry Shrimp notched the final point on Wednesday and Stanford’s run to an NCAA title was complete.

Shrimp, in the opening match, took his first lead over Spencer Soosman on the 11th hole before winning 2 and 1, which sealed Stanford’s 3-2 victory over Texas at Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Ark.

It’s the Cardinals men’s golf team’s ninth NCAA title and first since 2007. Seniors Brandon Wu and Isaiah Salinda finished the week 3-0 in match play.

“It’s crazy,” Wu told reporters. “You can’t script a better ending to your career. This whole week, we knew that every round could be our last, so to end on a high note is great.”

Stanford opened match play by beating Wake Forest and Vanderbilt to advance to the final, while the Longhorns beat Oklahoma and then upset a loaded Oklahoma State team to set up their championship showdown with Stanford.

Salinda won 4 and 3 over Cole Hammer, the NCAA freshman of the year, and Wu won 4 and 3 over Pierceson Coody. There matches were over before Shrimp’s final point. Parker Coody and Steven Chervony earned points for Texas.

“The first goal was to make match play,” Salinda said. “Once we made match play, I thought we could win it. It’s pretty cool. It means a lot to end our careers like that. This is the best way to end our four years here.”

Count 'em up! 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@StanfordMGolf are the #NCAAGolf National Champs for the NINTH time! #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/vwQoQ5jawN

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 29, 2019