NCAA D1 National Championship - Stroke

The NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship stroke play portion begins with 54 holes over three days involving 30 teams and six individual qualifiers. After these 54 holes, the top 15 teams and the top nine individuals not on those advancing teams play a fourth round of stroke play. This final stroke play round determines both the individual national champion by 72-hole total and seeds the top eight teams for the match play bracket. The stroke play format counts the best four scores out of five players per team each round. After the fourth round, the eight best teams based on stroke play totals advance to match play, which ultimately decides the team national champion. The individual champion is crowned solely on stroke play score after 72 holes. This structure ensures a rigorous test of consistency and skill before the strategic team match play begins, combining both stroke and match play elements in one championship.