Golf Channel preseason top 30 released

Golf Channel previews the season with a top 30 ranking, projected All-Americans, and program-by-program analysis for the 2025-26 college golf year.

Texas Tops Golf Channel Preseason Top 30 for 2025-26 Season

Texas sits No. 1 in Golf Channel’s preseason Top 30 after a standout offseason in which the Longhorns kept every starter and added a high-potential transfer. The ranking notes Texas as the only program with four players in the World Amateur Ranking top 35, a depth edge that could matter as teams navigate a demanding schedule and match play. The projected starting five is Maas, Morrison, Bennett, Potter and Comegys, a mix of senior leadership and rising talent.

Oklahoma State is No. 2, fresh off a national title run. The Cowboys return Stout, Fang, Lee, Lane and Wild, with Guan and Bandelier arriving as freshmen. The rest of the top 10 features a strong mix of programs including Auburn at No. 3 and Florida at No. 4, with Virginia, Ole Miss, LSU, and Texas Tech rounding out the top 10. The spread of talent across conferences highlights how depth and consistency could shape the race this season.

The rankings point to a shift in how teams win on the big stage. Depth and multi-year continuity are emphasized as much as star players, suggesting rosters that can absorb travel, injuries and midseason form may have the edge. Programs that blend returning core with selective transfers and top freshmen could corral more wins in fall events and spring majors alike. That means coaches may prioritize competition for spots and the development path for newcomers, not just the five best players on paper.

Highlights

The season will reveal how well rosters can convert potential into consistent performance.