Kotchasanmanee Makes History At NCAAs With 12th Place Finish

Princeton’s Thanana Kotchasanmanee has concluded a remarkable first collegiate season with a historic 12th-place finish at the 2026 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships. The competition was held at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.

A Historic Milestone for the Ivy League

With a four-day total of 285 (-3), Kotchasanmanee secured the highest finish ever recorded by an Ivy League golfer at the NCAA Championships. This performance surpasses the previous record of T37th, set by Princeton’s Kelly Shon in 2013.

The achievement further cements Princeton’s dominance in the league’s national representation. Kotchasanmanee joins a small group of Tigers—including Mary Moan (T40th in 1997) and Maya Walton (T113th in 2017)—who comprise the entirety of the Ivy League’s presence at the NCAA Championships final site.

Did You Know? Every Ivy League golfer to ever reach the NCAA Championships final site has represented Princeton University.

Tournament Progression and Final Round

Kotchasanmanee maintained a strong position throughout the event, starting with a bogey-free 69 (-3) to sit T3 after the opening round. She followed this with a 71 (-1) in the second round to place T7 and a 70 (-2) in the third round, which kept her T8 and just four shots off the lead.

In the final round, Kotchasanmanee shot a 75 (+3). Her day began with bogeys on holes 12 and 17, followed by another bogey on hole 4. While birdies on 5 and 6 briefly brought her back to +1, bogeys on 7 and 9 ultimately resulted in her T12 overall finish.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that Kotchasanmanee’s ability to post three consecutive under-par rounds against the nation’s best underscores a level of consistency that is rare for a first-year collegiate player. Breaking a record that had stood since 2013 indicates a rising competitive ceiling for athletes within the Ivy League.

Championship Results

The individual NCAA title was claimed by Farrah O’Keefe of Texas, the No. 1 ranked golfer in the country entering the tournament. O’Keefe finished with a four-day score of 276 (-12), winning by two shots over Megha Ganne of Stanford.

Next Steps: The U.S. Women’s Open

Kotchasanmanee is expected to remain in California to prepare for the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, scheduled for June 4-7 at Riviera in Los Angeles. She secured her place in the field after earning medalist honours in April at the U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier held at Springfield Golf Club in Virginia.

NCAA Golf Highlights: 2026 NCAA Women's Individual Championship | Golf Channel

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Thanana Kotchasanmanee’s final score and rank?

She finished T12 overall with a four-day total score of 285 (-3).

How does this finish compare to previous Ivy League performances?

This is the highest-ever finish by an Ivy Leaguer at the NCAA Championships, beating the previous record of T37th set by Kelly Shon in 2013.

Who won the 2026 individual NCAA title?

Farrah O’Keefe of Texas won the title with a score of 276 (-12).

Do you think more Ivy League golfers will challenge these national records in the coming seasons?