UCLA Falls to Arizona in East Lake Cup
The Bruins dropped a 3-2 decision in the consolation round after a semifinal loss to Oklahoma State.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Golf
UCLA men's golf lost 3-2 to Arizona on Wednesday in the East Lake Cup consolation round at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, following a 3-2 semifinal loss to No. 1 Oklahoma State the previous day. The Bruins finished third of four teams in stroke play at 8-under 280.
Why it matters
The two losses leave UCLA without a top finish at the event despite a strong stroke play showing led by junior Baylor Larrabee. The results offer an early read on the Bruins' competitiveness against top-ranked programs this season.
Baylor Larrabee shot 4-under 68 in stroke play, one shot ahead of sophomore Josh Kim, who was the only UCLA player to win both match play contests. Senior Alex Papayoanou lost 5&3 to Preston Stout in the Oklahoma State match, while sophomore Tyler Loree forfeited his match against Gaven Lane 8&7 after a sudden illness.
The players
Baylor Larrabee
A junior on the UCLA men's golf team who posted the team's best stroke play score of 4-under 68 at the East Lake Cup.
Josh Kim
A sophomore on the UCLA men's golf team who was the only Bruin to win both of his match play contests at the East Lake Cup.
Alex Papayoanou
A senior on the UCLA men's golf team who received the Tom Cousins Award at the East Lake Cup and lost his match against Oklahoma State.
The details
UCLA trailed leader Auburn by five strokes in stroke play at East Lake Golf Club before losing both match play rounds by 3-2 scores. Loree's forfeit came midway through the Oklahoma State match after he was affected by a sudden illness.
Timeline
Tuesday, October 31, 2026: UCLA lost 3-2 to No. 1 Oklahoma State in the East Lake Cup semifinal.
Wednesday, November 1, 2026: UCLA lost 3-2 to Arizona in the East Lake Cup consolation round.
Late January 2027: UCLA returns to competition at the Southwestern Invitational.
Season Trajectory
The East Lake Cup is an invitational for the four semifinalists from the previous year's national championship, where UCLA finished second in 2025. The Bruins' third-place stroke play finish and two 3-2 losses set their season baseline against top-ranked programs.
Fantasy and roster observers should note that Larrabee led the team in stroke play at 4-under 68, while Kim was the only player to win both match play rounds. Loree's sudden illness forfeit could affect his lineup status before the January event.
The takeaway
Watching early-season head-to-head results against top programs such as Oklahoma State and Arizona helps show how a team's depth and match play performance hold up under pressure.
What happens next
UCLA returns to competition in late January 2027 at the Southwestern Invitational.
Further reading
Follow more UCLA men's golf coverage in the Golf section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bruin.
