College golf has increasingly become a window into the next generation of PGA Tour stars. It has helped tremendously that the NCAA Championship has been televised since 2014. That brought college stars right into golf fans’ living rooms, showing exactly the level of play that’s out there.
To reflect on the top college players of the past decade is to play a game of “remember them when.” The resumes are deep on these players, and each made a contribution to his team or his program that was beyond meaningful. These players raised the bar in college golf, and showed just how deep the talent pool is.
Here are the top 10 men’s college golfers of the decade followed by a few honorable mentions (in alphabetical order).
Top 10
Patrick Cantlay, UCLA
Cantlay spent 55 weeks as the No. 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, a record he held until Jon Rahm broke it in 2016. He turned pro in 2012 after his sophomore season at UCLA, but it was his freshman season that caught the nation’s attention. Cantlay won four events in the 2010-11 season, including the NCAA San Diego Regional, and finished second at the NCAA Championship, where he led the Bruins to match play. In two years Cantlay had 14 top 10 finishes and 24 rounds in the 60s.
Viktor Hovland, Oklahoma State
Always in the mix and a key member of Oklahoma State’s 2018 national championship squad and 2019’s team that may go down as the best team to not win the title, Viktor Hovland had a strong three years at one of college golf’s best programs. Hovland was a three-time winner his junior year, was runner-up at the Big 12 Championship and NCAA Louisville Regional, earning Big 12 Player of the Year honors to end a solid college career.
Maverick McNealy, Stanford
A four-year player at Stanford, McNealy became the second player to tie Tiger Woods’ program record of 11 wins from 2013-17, joining teammate Patrick Rodgers in the record book. McNealy also holds the school’s individual stroke average record at 70.12.
Collin Morikawa, California
While he didn’t win as much as some of the players on this list, Collin Morikawa’s consistency during his time at Cal is what made him great. Morikawa was the school’s first four-time All-American (three-time first-team All-American), earning five victories as well 22 top-five and 35 top-10 finishes. When he graduated in 2019, Morikawa held the school’s stroke average at 69.78.
Jon Rahm, Arizona State
Jon Rahm stayed all four years at Arizona State before turning pro in 2016, and he made his time with the Sun Devils count. Rahm racked up 11 tournament victories at ASU, second all-time behind Phil Mickelson (16). Those 11 wins include the 2015 NCAA San Diego Regional, the 2016 Pac-12 Championship and NCAA Albuquerque Regional.
Patrick Reed, Augusta
Augusta State (now Augusta University) doesn’t win consecutive national titles without Georgia transfer Patrick Reed, who went 6-0 in NCAA Championship match play.
Patrick Rodgers, Stanford
Rodgers was a three-time All-American and 11-time winner at Stanford, tying the school record set by none other than 15-time major champion Tiger Woods (later tied by McNealy).
Jordan Spieth, Texas
Spieth’s time at Texas was brief, but he put the Longhorns back in the national spotlight as a freshman, winning three events and leading the team to an NCAA title in 2012. His efforts earned him the following honors: All-Big 12, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-American
Justin Thomas, Alabama
Thomas didn’t waste time making a name for himself with the Tide. He earned the title of the nation’s outstanding freshman by winning the Phil Mickelson award and was SEC Player and Freshman of the Year. JT earned medalist honors in both the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Athens Regional that year and was also a key member of Alabama’s 2012 and 2013 national championship squads. Thomas won six events in 25 appearances.
Matthew Wolff, Oklahoma State
A decorated career, though just two years, at Oklahoma State included a sophomore campaign where Matthew Wolff set a program record with six wins, culminating with the individual 2019 NCAA Championship. Wolff finished the year with a 68.69 scoring average.
Keep reading for which four former college golfers missed the cut.
Just missed the cut
Bryson DeChambeau, SMU
Beau Hossler, Texas
Braden Thornberry, Mississippi
Peter Uihlein, Oklahoma State
