A historic ascent: Rewriting the record books in stroke play
The Eagles' journey at the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships began with a statement performance during the four-round stroke play portion at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. Entering the tournament ranked No. 27 nationally, Eastern Michigan climbed five spots in the standings during the final round to finish fifth overall with a total score of 2-over 1,154. This finish represents the highest in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history, surpassing Kent State’s seventh-place finish in 2017.
Records shattered and standards set
The team’s final-round performance was nothing short of elite, as they fired a 4-under 284, one of only two teams to break par on the final day alongside top-ranked Stanford. This score tied for the ninth-best in program history and set a new benchmark for the best round by a MAC school at the NCAA Championships. Remarkably, every member of the five-player lineup, Savannah de Bock, Baiyok Sukterm, Janae Leovao, Jasmine Leovao, and Erina Tan posted 72-hole scores that broke the previous program individual record.
Leading the individual charge, Savannah de Bock finished tied for 12th at 3-under 285, shattering the program’s 72-hole scoring record by 18 strokes. She was followed closely by Baiyok Sukterm, who tied for 14th at 2-under 286, marking her fourth consecutive round at or under par during the tournament.
The giant killers: Upsetting No. 4 Texas
After securing the No. 5 seed, Eastern Michigan moved into the quarterfinal match play round against the fourth-seeded University of Texas. In a high-stakes showdown, the Eagles secured a thrilling 3.5-1.5 victory over the Longhorns.
Clinching the semifinal berth
The victory was anchored by several standout individual performances in the match play format. Janae Leovao delivered a dominant five and four win over the Annika Award winner and individual champion, Farah O'Keefe. Meanwhile, Savannah de Bock added a five and three victory over Angela Heo to put the Eagles in a commanding position.
The decisive moment came from Jasmine Leovao, who clinched the match for Eastern Michigan with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole. Additionally, Baiyok Sukterm showed incredible resilience, battling back from a three-hole deficit after eight holes to earn a crucial tie against Selina Liao. This victory solidified EMU's place as a legitimate contender on the national stage, moving them within two wins of a national title.
A trailblazing achievement for the MAC and Michigan
The Eagles' run is not just a success for the university, but a landmark event for their conference and state. Eastern Michigan is only the second NCAA Division I program from the state of Michigan to ever reach the match play portion of the national championship. Their 1,154 total strokes bettered the previous MAC record by 30 strokes and the record for a Michigan-based school by 24 strokes.
Head Coach Josh Brewer expressed immense pride in his team's belief and recruitment, noting that the players took a chance on a program that was still building its foundation. "We have been getting better each day, so we are excited to move into match play and see what we can do," Brewer remarked after the stroke play portion concluded.
The ultimate test: Facing No. 1 Stanford
The dream run continues as the Eagles prepare for their toughest challenge yet: a semifinal matchup against No. 1 Stanford. The Cardinal finished first in stroke play at 22-under 1,130 and swept their quarterfinal match against Pepperdine with a 5-0 victory.
Tuning in for the semifinals
The semifinal match is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, at 5:05 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the action live, as the Golf Channel will provide broadcast coverage from 6-10 p.m. ET. Should the Eagles defeat the top-seeded Cardinal, they will advance to the national championship match on Wednesday, May 27. For a program making its first-ever national appearance, standing on the precipice of a title is a special story that has already captivated the world of collegiate golf.
