The COVID-19 pandemic rocked the 2020-21 college golf schedule, with some schools and conferences electing not to compete in the fall.
Play has largely returned across the nation this spring, and just like the weather outside, the race for the Haskins Award is starting to heat up. A handful of players have stood out as front-runners for the Haskins Award, which honors the player of the year in college men’s golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media.
The players are listed alphabetically. Players on the Haskins Award Watch List were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel writers.
Haskins Award Watch List
Ludvig Aberg, Texas Tech
After an average fall by the sophomore’s standards – T-10 at Colonial and 2-2 record at the Big 12 Match Play – Aberg has come out firing in the spring with a T-1 at the Prestige and T-5 at the Cabo Collegiate at TPC San Antonio.
Texas Tech golfer Ludvig Aberg tees off on the 14th hole of PGA West Greg Norman Golf Course at The Prestige in La Quinta, California, on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. (Photo: Vickie Connor/The Desert Sun)
Jacob Bridgeman, Clemson
The Tiger junior recently defended his title at the Palmetto Intercollegiate after a sixth-place finish at the Kiawah Invitational and win to start the spring at the Camp Creek Seminole Invitational.
Clemson’s Jacob Bridgeman. (Photo: Clemson)
Michael Brennan, Wake Forest
Arguably the frontrunner for the award, the freshman has started his collegiate career T-5, T-2, 1, 1, earning individual honors at the Kiawah Invitational and Wake Forest Invitational.
Wake Forest’s Michael Brennan at the 2021 Came Creek Seminole Invitational. (Photo: Wake Forest Athletics Communications)
Michael Feagles, Illinois
After not playing in the fall, the fifth-year senior has led his Illini to consecutive team wins to start the spring, claiming the individual title at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate and finishing T-4 at the LSU Invitational.
Illinois’ Michael Feagles. (Photo: Illinois Men’s Golf)
Nick Gabrelcik, North Florida
The freshman’s career is off to a great start, with a win at the Sea Best Invitational, a pair of T-4s at the Gator Invitational and Timuquana Collegiate and a T-21 at the Seminole Intercollegiate.
North Florida’s Nick Gabrelcik. (Photo: North Florida Men’s Golf)
Ryan Hall, South Carolina
The junior has been Mr. Consistent for the Gamecocks this spring, with top-5 finishes at the Gators Invitational and LSU Invitational, as well as a T-6 at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in the fall.
South Carolina’s Ryan Hall. (Photo: South Carolina Men’s Golf)
Dylan Menante, Pepperdine
The sophomore earned a third top 5 on the season at the Prestige following a second-place finish at the Pasadera Collegiate Invitational and T-2 at Maridoe in the fall. His worst finish? T-11.
Pepperdine’s Dylan Menante. (Photo: Pepperdine Athletics)
William Moll, Vanderbilt
The sophomore was consistent all fall, finishing T-4 at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate, T-6 at Blessings and T-11 at Vanderbilt. In two events this spring he’s finished T-11 at the Gators Invitational and T-21 at LSU Invitational. Look for him to go on a run come championship season.
Vanderbilt’s William Moll at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Nov. 10, 2020. (Photo: David Gray)
Vincent Norrman, Florida State
In four starts this spring, Norrman has a win at the Timuquana, T-3 at the Cabo Collegiate at TPC San Antonio, T-7 at the Camp Creek Seminole and T-16 at the Seminole Intercollegiate.
Florida State’s Vincent Norrman. (Photo: Ross Obley)
John Pak, Florida State
Pak and his teammate Norrman have almost identical resumes, minus the win. Pak finished second at the Seminole, T-3 at the Cabo, T-7 at Camp Creek and T-12 at Timuquana.
John Pak lines up a putt on the fifth green during the second round of the U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club – West. (Photo: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports)
Trent Phillips, Georgia
The junior has been contending at tournaments all season, with three top 10s, including a win at the Gators Invitational, fourth at the Jerry Pate and seventh at LSU.
Georgia’s Trent Phillips. (Photo: Georgia Men’s Golf)
David Puig, Arizona State
The sophomore Spaniard started the spring with a pair of wins at the Southwestern Invitational and Amer Ari Intercollegiate. He’s since cooled off, by his standards, to a T-7 at the Prestige and T-10 at the Cabo Collegiate.
Arizona State’s David Puig on the 10th hole of PGA West Greg Norman Golf Course at The Prestige in La Quinta, California, on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. (Photo: Vickie Connor/The Desert Sun)
Davis Thompson, Georgia
The highlight of Thompson’s fall was most likely his opening-round 1 under 69 at the U.S. Open at Winged Foot, but at the college level, the senior earned fall finishes of T-4 at Blessings, T-5 at Vanderbilt and T-6 at the Jerry Pate. With just a T-11 at the Gators Invitational to his name this spring, don’t be shocked if Thompson quickly finds his form down the stretch.
Davis Thompson plays his shot from the third tee during the second round of the 120th U.S. Open on September 18, 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Patrick Welch, Oklahoma
Depending on the day, the junior might not be the best player on his top-ranked team, but he’s always in the mix. He won the stroke-play portion of the East Lake Cup against a strong field, finished T-4 at the Seminole and ninth at the Cabo.
Oklahoma coach Ryan Hybl and Patrick Welch at the 2019 NCAA Div. I men’s golf championships. (Photo: Joshua R. Gateley)
Kieran Vincent, Liberty
A top-10 machine this spring for the Flames, Vincent finished T-4 at Timuquana, T-6 at the Sea Best, T-8 at the Gators Invitational and 10th at the Seminole.
Kieran Vincent at the 2021 Timuquana Collegiate.
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