It’s a tight race for college golf’s Player of the Year.
Leading up to the June 1 announcement, GolfChannel.com will track the top contenders for the prestigious award that is given annually to the most outstanding college player in the country. Here’s an early look at our top 10 (listed alphabetically):
Gavin Green, senior, New Mexico
Golfstat ranking: 9
The most prolific winner in school history (eight), Green has captured three individual titles this season and is ranked inside the top 10 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. His current scoring average of 70.19 in 12 events this year is second best in school history, behind only Spencer Levin (69.98), who now plays on the PGA Tour.
Beau Hossler, sophomore, Texas
Golfstat ranking: 8
One of two Longhorns to earn medalist honors this season, Hossler scored his first college title at the John Hayt, then followed that performance with runner-up showings at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters and Linger Longer Invitational. He hasn’t finished worse than 20th in nine starts this season, with a 70.3 scoring average.
Lee McCoy, junior, Georgia
Golfstat ranking: 2
McCoy had a win and a runner-up finish in two starts this fall before having to sit out two events with a back injury. He’s turned it on this spring, with three consecutive victories leading into last week’s SEC Championship, where he finished in the top 10.
Maverick McNealy, sophomore, Stanford
Golfstat ranking: 3
The team’s fifth man a year ago, McNealy was the first player to reach four wins this season. In 11 starts, he has eight top 10s, a 69.10 scoring average and no finish worse than 21st while playing the country’s fourth-most difficult schedule.
Cheng-Tsung Pan, senior, Washington
Golfstat ranking: 5
One of the most decorated players in school history, Pan had five top-three finishes (and three victories) in his first six starts of the season. His T-40 finish in the team’s most recent event, the Western Intercollegiate, was his first result outside the top 15 this season.
Jon Rahm, junior, Arizona State
Golfstat ranking: 1
The No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, and the top player in Golfstat’s rankings, Rahm has won three times this season with four other top-five showings. His 68.63 scoring average is the best in the country.
Max Rottluff, junior, Arizona State
Golfstat ranking: 11
He may be overshadowed by Rahm, but Rottluff has still produced two wins and a pair of runner-up finishes this season. His scoring average (69.03) is the second best in the country, behind only Rahm.
Ollie Schniederjans, senior, Georgia Tech
Golfstat ranking: 14
He won his sixth career tournament in the fall at the Carpet Capital, then posted three runners-up among his seven top 10s this season. His team-best scoring average of 70 has brought his career mark to 70.89, the second best in school history.
Robby Shelton, sophomore, Alabama
Golfstat ranking: 6
His lone victory this season was a big one – a blowout win at the Southern Highlands Collegiate Masters, typically ranked as the No. 1 regular-season event. Shelton also has five other top-fives (nine top 10s in all) and has yet to finish outside the top 20 in nine tournaments, with a scoring average of 70.44.
Hunter Stewart, senior, Vanderbilt
Golfstat ranking: 4
He has three wins this season, including at the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational during the fall, and six other top 10 finishes. His scoring average of 69.52 is the best in the SEC and the lowest ever in school history.