College golf is back, and the competition for the NCAA Championship is heating up. The return of college golf means that the stars of the sport are back on campus, battling for top honors, victories, and more. It also marks the arrival of a new crop of talented freshmen who are ready to make their mark on the collegiate golf scene.
Every year, there are standout freshmen who quickly rise to prominence in college golf. Last year, Auburn’s Jackson Koivun dominated the college golf scene, sweeping major awards including the Haskins Award and leading his team to a national championship. Now, it’s time to meet the next generation of rising stars in college golf.
Here’s a look at 10 men’s freshmen to watch during the current season:
Ratchanon Tk Chantananuwat of Thailand:
Chantananuwat, the top Asian amateur golfer, has achieved a high ranking of sixth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. He made history by winning the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest player to win an event on a major professional tour.
Billy Davis:
Davis, ranked as the top recruit in his class by Golfweek/Sagarin, led Team USA to a T-1 finish at the 2024 Junior World Cup in Japan. He also qualified for the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico.
Wheaton Ennis:
Ennis won the Arizona Amateur Championship this summer and made it to the Round of 32 at the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National.
Nicholas Gross:
Gross, ranked No. 1 in his class in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, has represented Team USA in prestigious events like the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Presidents Cup.
Jackson Herrington:
Herrington, known as “Fridge,” has emerged as one of the top junior players in the game, making a hole-in-one during match play at the 2024 U.S. Amateur.
Connor Graham:
Graham, the youngest golfer to compete in the Walker Cup in 2023, has also represented Team Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup.
Baylor Larrabee:
Larrabee, named Washington Junior Golf Association Player of the Year in 2023, is a rising star after winning multiple titles.
Jay Leng Jr.:
Leng, a top recruit from California, is a two-time AJGA First-Team Rolex All-American who also competed in the Junior Ryder Cup.
Ethan Paschal:
Paschal, the individual champion at the 2023 North Carolina 3A state championship, led his team to a state title and earned second-team Rolex Junior All-America honors.
Parker Sands:
Sands, the top player from Oklahoma, secured victories at the Western Junior and the Oklahoma Golf Association Junior Boys Championship earlier this summer.
College golf is in full swing, and these freshmen are poised to make a significant impact on the collegiate golf landscape.
