PGA TOUR University unveiled its preseason rankings for the Class of 2026 ahead of the 2025-26 college golf season, placing Virginia’s Ben James at the top. This ranking highlights the emerging talent as players compete toward PGA TOUR membership, with James positioned prominently as the standout senior. The rankings reflect performances across collegiate and professional tournaments, setting the stage for a highly competitive year.
Top Contenders and Their Backgrounds in the Rankings
In addition to Ben James, the University of Texas has two players ranked among the top five: Christiaan Maas at No. 2 and Tommy Morrison at No. 4. Michael La Sasso from Ole Miss, who won the NCAA individual championship, holds No. 3, while Oklahoma’s Jase Summy is No. 5. James is joined in the top 25 by teammates Paul Chang (No. 18) and Bryan Lee (No. 20), while Texas features Luke Potter alongside Maas and Morrison. Ole Miss leads the count with four players in the top 25, including Tom Fischer (No. 16), Cameron Tankersley (No. 17), and Cohen Trolio (No. 25).
Overall, the preseason rankings represent 16 schools and athletes from seven different countries, including China, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and the United States. This diverse field illustrates the global reach and increasing competitiveness of collegiate golf.
Ranking Methodology and Tour Benefits Explained
The rankings are determined in partnership with the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), evaluating players based on performance over the past two collegiate years. Eligible competitions include NCAA Division I men’s team events, official PGA TOUR tournaments, and select DP World Tour events. The ranking period for the Class of 2026 began in week 23 of 2024 and will conclude after the final round of the 2026 NCAA Championship on June 1, 2026.
The stakes are high: the No. 1 player in the final ranking will earn PGA TOUR membership, while players ranked 2 through 10 will secure spots on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2026. Additionally, players ranked 11 through 25 will be granted exempt membership for PGA TOUR Americas Segment II in 2026. Those ranked 2 to 5 will also gain exemption into the Final Stage of Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, with spots in the Second Stage granted to players ranked 6 through 25.
Players aiming to be included in the PGA TOUR University Rankings must register; registration is currently open, with the full Class of 2026 rankings to be released in September before the fall college golf season begins.
Profile of Ben James: A Rising Star from Virginia
Ben James stands out as a three-time PING All-America First Team honoree with six wins across 35 college starts. His contribution was pivotal in Virginia’s national runner-up finish at the 2025 NCAA Championship. Currently ranked No. 2 in the WAGR, James has represented the United States twice at the Arnold Palmer Cup (2023 and 2024) and is set for his second Walker Cup appearance in September. His experience includes nine PGA TOUR starts, notably finishing tied for 33rd at the Valero Texas Open this past April.
Strong Texas Representation with Two in Top Five
Christiaan Maas emerged as a leader for the University of Texas in 2024-25, making 18 rounds in the 60s and securing eight top-10 finishes, including winning the Pauma Valley Invitational. Hailing from Pretoria, South Africa, Maas has already competed on the DP World Tour, making four cuts in seven starts and finishing fourth at the Investec South African Open Championship in March 2025. He currently holds the No. 7 spot in the WAGR. Additionally, Tommy Morrison, ranked No. 5 in preseason, posted ten top-20 finishes during his junior year. Morrison secured a collegiate victory at the Amer Ari Invitational and became the first American to win the European Amateur in June 2024, earning an exemption to the Open Championship where he finished tied for 60th. His consistent performance also includes progression to match play at The Amateur Championship in recent years, and an invitation to the Walker Cup practice session in November 2024.
Michael La Sasso’s Impact at Ole Miss
Michael La Sasso, the reigning NCAA individual champion, has etched his place in school history alongside Braden Thornberry, the only other Ole Miss player to win the individual title. During his junior season, La Sasso achieved three victories across 12 starts and holds the lowest scoring average in Ole Miss history at 69.48. Recognized as a First Team All-American, he is currently ranked No. 8 in the WAGR. La Sasso is also competing this summer at the 3M Open, making his fifth PGA TOUR start, and will join Ben James on the U.S. Team at the upcoming Walker Cup.
Jase Summy Leads Oklahoma’s Consistency in PGA TOUR University
Jase Summy had seven top-10 finishes during his junior year at Oklahoma, capturing a win at the Maridoe Intercollegiate. He led the Sooners with 20 rounds in the 60s and a 70.35 scoring average. His highlight in 2024 summer play was a runner-up finish at the Sunnehanna Amateur, with additional strong performances including a tied-12th at the Northeast Amateur and tied-3rd at the Southern Amateur. Oklahoma boasts a unique distinction as the only school to produce a PGA TOUR University graduate every year since the program began in 2021, with eight alumni currently holding PGA TOUR University benefits.
Overview of PGA TOUR University’s Impact So Far
Since its inception, PGA TOUR University has benefited 104 players from 47 schools, with 25 alumni combining for 39 professional wins. Past No. 1 players earning Korn Ferry Tour membership include Florida State’s John Pak (2021) and Texas’ Pierceson Coody (2022). Those who have secured PGA TOUR membership by finishing No. 1 are Texas Tech’s Ludvig Åberg (2023), Stanford’s Michael Thorbjornsen (2024), and North Carolina’s David Ford (2025).
Currently, eight PGA TOUR University alumni are ranked within the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). These include Ludvig Åberg (No. 11), Chris Gotterup (No. 27), Davis Thompson (No. 68), Kevin Yu (No. 69), Jacob Bridgeman (No. 70), Joe Highsmith (No. 78), Austin Eckroat (No. 80), and Johnny Keefer (No. 86), highlighting the rising caliber of talent cultivated through the program.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect from the Class of 2026
The PGA TOUR University 2026 Rankings spotlight a competitive and international group of players striving to advance to professional golf’s highest levels. As the season progresses and rankings update, the battle for PGA TOUR membership and Korn Ferry Tour opportunities will intensify. With players like Ben James leading the charge and others from well-known programs such as Texas, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma also in strong contention, the Class of 2026 promises an exciting infusion of talent into professional golf.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. The PGA stands for the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. It is an organization focused on promoting the game of golf.
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A. The Professional Golfers’ Association is a group in the US for men who play or work in professional golf, started in 1916.
It’s officially called the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The association manages major golf competitions annually, including its own yearly PGA Championship.
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