Pokes Finish Fifth at 2026 National Golf Invitational

MARICOPA, Ariz., – The University of Wyoming men’s golf team placed fifth at the 2026 National Golf Invitational on Sunday with a score of 839 (-25). Brody Leid – who carded a program-record 198 (-18) – fell in a playoff in a tournament played at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.

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“I’m proud of the group,” head coach Joe Jensen said. “We had a bunch of young guys out here fighting. They’re so young and to have this experience, and the season we had, was really good. Under the circumstances, I’m very, very, very proud of them this weekend.”

Grand Canyon’s Nixon Lauritzen defeated Leid in one playoff hole to earn the PGA Tour exemption to the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Lauritzen parred Hole 18, while Leid bogeyed.

Leid fired a final round 68 (-4) to give him the new school record. The 198 total was one better than the previous best and the 18-under was four shots better than the previous best.

Leid did nearly all of his work Sunday on the back nine. He was 1-over through his first 11 holes but caught fire down the stretch. Leid was 5-under through Holes 12-16.

“It’s a tremendous tournament for Brody,” Jensen said. “He was in the thick of it all weekend, and I’m so proud of him.”

The Lopes also won the team title at 812 (-52). Missouri and Rhode Island rounded out the top three at 826 (-38) and 837 (-27), respectively.

Brody Knowlton made it back-to-back days in the 60s to finish in a tie for sixth. He closed with a 69 (-3) that was comprised of five birdies and two bogeys.

Kellen Ball enjoyed his best round of the NGI on Sunday to take 42nd at 220 (+4). He fired a third-round 71 (-1), which saw him hole four birdies with one bogey and one double bogey.

Austin Barry and Conner Scheich each tied for 43rd at 222 (+6). Scheich closed with a 76 (+4), while Barry finished his tournament with a 78 (+6).
This concludes the 2025-26 season.

Team Leaderboard
1. Grand Canyon – 812 (-52)
2. Missouri – 826 (-38)
3. Rhode Island – 837 (-27)
4. Nevada – 838 (-26)
5. Wyoming – 839 (-25)
6. William & Mary – 843 (-21)
6. Mercer – 843 (-21)
8. Tennessee Tech – 851 (-13)
9. North Alabama – 863 (-1)
10. Augusta – 867 (+3)
Individual Top Five
1. Nixon Lauritzen (Grand Canyon) – 198 (-18)*
1. Brody Leid (Wyoming) – 198 (-18)
3. Monte Chumchaivate (Nevada) – 204 (-12)
4. Gavin O’Neill (Grand Canyon) – 205 (-11)
5. Trent Mierl (Missouri) – 206 (-10)
*Won a playoff

Men’s Golf Moves Up on Day 2 of the National Golf Invitational: Brody Leid Holds a Three-Shot Lead After Second-Round 66 (-6)

MARICOPA, Ariz., – The University of Wyoming men’s golf team moved up during Day 2 of the 2026 National Golf Invitational. The Pokes are now fifth as a team at 555 (-21) following a Saturday second-round score of 270 (-18) in a tournament being played at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Brody Leid jumped out to the solo lead at 130 (-14) after a second-round 66 (-6).

“I’m happy for the group. It was nice to have a nice day,” head coach Joe Jensen said. “I’m not changing anything. I want us to stay in rhythm. We have to stay light, loose and in our process. We are not doing anything different, and we are going to go do the best we can tomorrow.”

Grand Canyon is atop the team leaderboard at 539 (-37). The Lopes’ Nixon Lauritzen is second on the individual leaderboard at 133 (-11).

Leid had an impressive encore on Saturday to his stellar opening-round 64 (-8) on Friday. His second-round 66 encompassed eight birdies and just two bogeys.

Leid leads a field that’s competing for an exemption to a PGA Tour event. The winner of the NGI is invited to the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October.

Brody Knowlton also carded a Round 2 score of 66 (-6), which vaulted him into a tie for 12th at 138 (-6). He caught fire on the back nine, holing all six of his birdies on what was a spotless 18.

Austin Barry boasted a career-best 68 (-4) in the second round to jump up into a share for 34th place at 144 (E). He recorded four birdies, an eagle and just two bogeys.

Conner Scheich pieced together and Round 2 score of 70 (-2). He is tied for 40th at 146 (+2) following a day that saw him register six birdies and four bogeys. Kellen Ball logged a 76 (+4) and that dropped him into a tie for 44th place at 149 (+5).

The final round of the NGI gets underway on Sunday morning.

Team Leaderboard
1. Grand Canyon – 539 (-37)
2. Missouri – 547 (-29)
3. Rhode Island – 548 (-28)
4. William & Mary – 554 (-22)
5. Wyoming – 555 (-21)
6. Mercer – 558 (-18)
7. Nevada – 562 (-14)
8. Tennessee Tech – 570 (-6)
9. Augusta – 577 (+1)
10. North Alabama – 581 (+5)
Individual Top Five
1. Brody Leid (Wyoming) – 130 (-14)
2. Nixon Lauritzen (Grand Canyon) – 133 (-11)
3. Josiah Tong (Rhode Island) – 134 (-10)
3. Gavin O’Neill (Grand Canyon) – 134 (-10)
5. Monte Chumchaivate (Nevada) – 135 (-9)
5. Tyler Bruneau (Rhode Island) – 135 (-9)

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players