The 19-year-old Colombian standout delivered a composed and dominant performance at the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, shooting a final-round 68 to seal a two-shot victory over a fiercely competitive field. Her four-day total of 277 (-11) stood strong against the nation’s top collegiate golfers.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Marin after lifting the trophy. “To represent Arkansas and my home country of Colombia on this stage means everything. I’ve worked so hard for this, and I’m grateful for my coaches, teammates, and family.”
Marin joins former Razorback legends Stacy Lewis (2007) and Emily Tubert (2011) as NCAA individual champions, reinforcing Arkansas’ growing reputation as a powerhouse in women’s collegiate golf. Her win also marks the first individual title for the program in over a decade.
A Steady Climb to the Top
Marin’s road to victory was marked by consistency and poise. After opening the tournament with a steady 70, she surged up the leaderboard with back-to-back rounds of 69, positioning herself within striking distance heading into the final day. Facing blustery conditions and mounting pressure, Marin showcased her mental toughness and course management, notching five birdies and just one bogey in the final round.
Head coach Shauna Taylor praised Marin’s maturity: “Maria Jose plays with the kind of confidence and discipline you don’t often see in a freshman. She’s got that ‘it’ factor. I’m incredibly proud of her and what this means for our program.”
An Emerging Star on the International Stage
Marin, a former top-ranked junior in Colombia and member of the Colombian national team, has quickly made a name for herself since arriving in Fayetteville. Her victory at the NCAA Championship adds to a freshman season already packed with accolades, including three tournament wins and SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
With this milestone win, she is likely to draw increased attention from the LPGA and other global circuits. However, Marin emphasized her focus remains on helping Arkansas continue its climb in the team competition.
“This is just the beginning,” she said. “We have big goals as a team, and I want to keep pushing to bring a national title to Arkansas.”
Looking Ahead
While Marin’s individual triumph is a crowning moment, it also fuels momentum for the Razorbacks heading into match play. The team finished the stroke-play portion in the top eight, qualifying for the match play championship bracket—a feat that sets them up for a potential run at the team national title.
As Maria Jose Marin celebrates her breakthrough moment, she carries the hopes of a program—and a nation—with her. From Colombia to Arkansas, her journey is only beginning, and the golf world is watching.
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