University of Minnesota Athletics
Sunday, May 24
Carlsbad, CA
University of Minnesota
vs
NCAA Championships
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Photo by: Brad Repplinger
Isabella McCauley Wraps Up Collegiate Career at NCAA Championships
5/24/2026 9:30:00 PM | Women's Golf
Closes career behind 36th-place finish
CARLSBAD, Calif. - University of Minnesota's Isabella McCauley finished round three of the 2026 NCAA Division I Women's Golf National Championships on Sunday. She carded an even-par round of 72 during the third round of stroke play on the North Course at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif.
McCauley closed out her career in the Maroon and Gold just one stroke shy of a playoff for the final individual spot advancing to the fourth and final round.
The senior carded three birdies in her opening seven holes, having started on the 10th hole, and finished the back nine at 2-under par. She then played seven of the front-nine holes to par. The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native ended stroke play in a tie for 36th place in the field of 156 golfers after carding a total score of 217 (+1) through 54 holes.
"Bella played so well this week. Her course management and ball striking were very good," head coach Matt Higgins said. "She took the knowledge she gained from her last trip here and really made a great game plan to get around this difficult course."
No. 1-ranked Stanford remains the team leader with a score of 279 (-9) after round three and holds a 5-shot lead over USC. Fara O'Keefe from Texas and Catherine Park of USC are tied for the top individual spot with 10-under-par total scores.
McCauley leaves Minnesota as one of the most accomplished players in program history, finishing her collegiate career as the Golden Gophers' all-time scoring average leader. A four-year standout for the Maroon and Gold, she was the 2024 B1G champion, represented Minnesota in four consecutive NCAA Regionals, and competed in the NCAA Championships three times.
Looking Ahead:
The Gophers will set their sights on the 2026-27 campaign.
McCauley closed out her career in the Maroon and Gold just one stroke shy of a playoff for the final individual spot advancing to the fourth and final round.
The senior carded three birdies in her opening seven holes, having started on the 10th hole, and finished the back nine at 2-under par. She then played seven of the front-nine holes to par. The Inver Grove Heights, Minn., native ended stroke play in a tie for 36th place in the field of 156 golfers after carding a total score of 217 (+1) through 54 holes.
"Bella played so well this week. Her course management and ball striking were very good," head coach Matt Higgins said. "She took the knowledge she gained from her last trip here and really made a great game plan to get around this difficult course."
No. 1-ranked Stanford remains the team leader with a score of 279 (-9) after round three and holds a 5-shot lead over USC. Fara O'Keefe from Texas and Catherine Park of USC are tied for the top individual spot with 10-under-par total scores.
McCauley leaves Minnesota as one of the most accomplished players in program history, finishing her collegiate career as the Golden Gophers' all-time scoring average leader. A four-year standout for the Maroon and Gold, she was the 2024 B1G champion, represented Minnesota in four consecutive NCAA Regionals, and competed in the NCAA Championships three times.
Looking Ahead:
The Gophers will set their sights on the 2026-27 campaign.
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