The Shadow
CINCINNATI, Ohio (VR) – Liberty withstood a late charge from TCU and tournament host Cincinnati on Tuesday to capture the team title at the 2026 Bearcat Invitational.
The Flames finished atop the 17-team leaderboard thanks to the winning efforts of Michael Lugiano.
The junior was declared the co-champion after finishing tied for first place with an individual winning score of 9-under par 204 (66-69-69). Lugiano finished the event tied with TCU’s Cameron Kuchar (68-67-69-204/-9).
Liberty claimed its 36th NCAA Division I team title in program history and the first regular season event victory since the 2020-21 season (Timuquana Collegiate – Jan. 25-26, 2021).
Lugiano picks up his third career collegiate medalist honor, giving the junior one in each of his three seasons with the program. It was also the program’s 38th individual collegiate medalist award winner at the NCAA Division I level.
The Flames finished the tournament three shots clear of TCU, who ended the event as the runner-up with a 12-under par 840 (283-274-283).
Cincinnati made a charge at the Flames and the Horned Frogs during their final trip around their home course – the Coldstream Country Club (par 71, 7,279 yards).
The Bearcats closed the event with an 8-under par 276 to finish in third place with an overall 10-under par 842 (288-278-276).
Along with the winning efforts of Lugiano, the Flames had two other golfers finish the event in red figures.
Luke Libbey finished tied for 11th place with a 3-under par 210 (68-69-73), while Noah Maclauchlan finished tied for 14th place with a 1-under 212 (66-75-71).
Libbey led the Flames and finished tied for sixth place in the 96-man field with 13 birdies, while Maclauchlan’s under-par score was aided by an eagle on the par-4, No. 12 hole (467 yards) during the opening round.
Round Recap – Liberty’s Starting Five:
- Michael Lugiano – T1 9-under par 204 (66-69-69)
- Luke Libbey – T11 3-under par 210 (68-69-73)
- Noah Maclauchlan – T14 1-under par 212 (66-75-71)
- Silas Haarer – T28 1-over par 214 (74-70-80)
- Austin Krahn – T67 7-over par 220 (74-72-74)
Back on the Course – Liberty’s Next Event:
- Bryan Bros Collegiate (Sept. 28-29)
- Solina Golf Club (West Columbia, S.C.)
- Hosted by South Carolina
- Par 72, 6,898 yards
