Division I
Grand Canyon Captures National Golf Invitational Title as Lauritzen Earns PGA Tour Exemption
Grand Canyon claimed the team title at the 2026 National Golf Invitational at Ak Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona, finishing at 52 under par after rounds of 271, 268, and 273. Missouri finished second at 38 under, while Rhode Island placed third at 27 under. Nevada moved into fourth at 26 under, and Wyoming rounded out the top five at 25 under.
Grand Canyon placed three players inside the top 10 individually, led by Nixon Lauritzen, who earned medalist honors after winning a playoff against Wyoming’s Brody Leid. Both players finished regulation at 18 under 198, setting a tournament scoring record. Lauritzen secured the victory on the first playoff hole and earned an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship later this year.
Lauritzen closed with a second consecutive 7 under 65 and recorded eight birdies during the final round. He also totaled 22 birdies and one eagle during the tournament. Leid finished runner up after a final round 68. Nevada’s Monte Chumchaivate placed third at 12 under, while Grand Canyon’s Gavin O’Neill finished fourth at 11 under. Missouri’s Trent Mierl rounded out the top five at 10 under.
Grand Canyon’s Matt Diehl tied for sixth at 9 under alongside Wyoming’s Brody Knowlton and Rhode Island’s Josiah Tong. Tennessee Tech’s Haden Maxwell and Augusta’s Pieter Rossouw tied for ninth at 8 under.
Final Team Standings
- Grand Canyon, -52
- Missouri, -38
- Rhode Island, -27
- Nevada, -26
- Wyoming, -25
T6. William and Mary, -21
T6. Mercer, -21
8. Tennessee Tech, -13
9. North Alabama, -1
10. Augusta, +3
Top Individual Finishers
T1. Nixon Lauritzen, Grand Canyon, -18
T1. Brody Leid, Wyoming, -18
3. Monte Chumchaivate, Nevada, -12
4. Gavin O’Neill, Grand Canyon, -11
5. Trent Mierl, Missouri, -10
T6. Matt Diehl, Grand Canyon, -9
T6. Brody Knowlton, Wyoming, -9
T6. Josiah Tong, Rhode Island, -9
T9. Haden Maxwell, Tennessee Tech, -8
T9. Pieter Rossouw, Augusta, -8
Sources:
Golfweek NGI Team Leaderboard
Golfweek NGI Individual Leaderboard
Golfweek Recap Article
