Mississippi State Advances To SEC Championship Match Play

Friday, April 24

St. Simons Island, Ga. (Sea Island GC)

Mississippi State

SEC Championship (Stroke Play)

Mississippi State Advances To SEC Championship Match Play

April 24, 2026 | Men's Golf

By: Daniel Black, Assistant Director / Brand Advancement & Social Strategy

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Mississippi State will advance to match play at the SEC Championship for the third time in program history, finishing sixth in the stroke play portion to punch the Bulldogs' ticket to the quarterfinals.

MSU previously advanced to match play in 2022 in 2023. All three appearances have come under the tutelage of head coach Dusty Smith.

"What a great accomplishment for this team to make it to match play," Smith said. "Today tested us in every way, but the guys responded. I'm proud of how they competed and how they were able to stay in their moment and execute their process. We know what is ahead of us in match play and that we have to be at our best."

Dain Richie led the Bulldogs in day three with a 2-under 68 to finish the event tied for seventh. He got off to a hot start with three birdies in his first eight holes and ultimately totaled 15 for the tournament, ranking third in the field. Richie carded under-par rounds all three days and has put together six-consecutive par-or-better rounds.

Ugo Malcor finished tied for 17th overall for his eighth top-20 showing of the season. Malcor carded a final round of even-par 70 to put together three rounds of par or better for the event.

Jackson Skinner played gritty golf in his third round, rebounding from a 4-over front nine with three birdies in a four-hole stretch to help propel State above the cut line. Garrett Endicott placed 35th after a 2-over 72 in the final round. Jackson Cook rounded out the State lineup with a 4-over 74 in round three.

Mississippi State will be the No. 6 seed in the SEC Quarterfinals, facing No. 3 seed Texas. The quarterfinal match will begin at 7:20 a.m. CT.

SEC Championship Stroke Play Final Results

1. Auburn – 269, 264, 268 = 801 (-39)
2. Florida – 269, 271, 267 = 807 (-33)
3. Texas – 269, 269, 272 = 810 (-30)
4. Ole Miss – 265, 274, 281 = 820 (-20)
5. Texas A&M – 274, 270, 280 = 824 (-16)
6. Mississippi State – 271, 273, 282 = 826 (-14)
7. Oklahoma – 266, 277, 284 = 827 (-13)
T8. South Carolina – 272, 276, 280 = 828 (-12)*
T8. Arkansas – 277, 274, 277 = 828 (-12)
T8. Georgia – 280, 273, 275 = 828 (-12)
11. Alabama – 272, 279, 283 = 834 (-6)
12. LSU – 275, 285, 275 = 835 (-5)
13. Tennessee – 278, 273, 285 = 836 (-4)
14. Vanderbilt – 278, 271, 294 = 843 (+3)
15. Missouri – 275, 290, 284 = 849 (+9)
16. Kentucky – 285, 290, 293 = 868 (+28)

* = South Carolina earned the eight spot in a playoff.

Stroke Play Final State Player Results

T7. Dain Richie – 65, 69, 68 = 202 (-8)
T17. Ugo Malcor – 68, 67, 70 = 205 (-5)
T35. Garrett Endicott – 69, 67, 72 = 208 (-2)
T45. Jackson Skinner – 69, 70, 72 = 211 (+1)
T70. Jackson Cook – 75, 70, 74 = 219 (+9)

For more information on the Bulldog golf program, follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram by searching "HailStateMG."