Liberty University’s Michael Lugiano birdied three of his first four holes on May 30 at the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf National Championship in Carlsbad, California, moving him into a share of 33rd place. After completing 36 holes at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Lugiano recorded a score of 1-under par 143 with rounds of 72 and 71.
Lugiano began his second round during the morning flight from the par-5, No. 10 hole and quickly gained momentum with birdies on holes No. 10, No. 12 (par 3), and No. 13 (par 4). He made the turn at one under par after a double bogey on No. 18 but returned to level par following a bogey on No. 4 later in his round.
The sophomore responded by securing birdies on holes No. 5 (par 4) and No. 6 (par 5) before dropping his final shot with a bogey at No. 7 (par 4). This marked Lugiano’s twenty-seventh round at par or better this season out of thirty-seven total rounds, including seven consecutive rounds meeting that standard.
All thirty teams qualified for the NCAA Men’s Golf National Championship, along with six individual competitors, will complete fifty-four holes of stroke play from Friday through Sunday. Following this stage, the top fifteen teams and top nine individuals not advancing as part of a team will move forward to an additional day of stroke play competition on Monday.
The last round will determine both the eight teams that advance to match play competition and crown the seventy-two-hole individual national champion for men’s golf in 2026.
