Scottish golfers in running for top US college award

Two Scottish golfers are in the running for one of the top awards in US college golf, won in the past by the likes of Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland and Rickie Fowler.

Blairgowrie’s Connor Graham and California-based Niall Shiels Donegan have both made the watch list for the coveted Ben Hogan Award on the strength of their performances in 2025.

The award recognises the top men’s NCAA Division I, II or III, NAIA or NJCAA college golfer based on results from all collegiate, amateur and professional events played over the previous 12 months.

Connor Graham pictured during his appearance in last year’s 153rd Open at Royal Portrush | Tom Russo | The Scotsman

Graham and Shiels Donegan are among 35 players on this year’s watch list, with a committee cutting it down to ten semi-finalists on 16 April.

Three finalists will then be announced on 12 May, with the winner being announced on 25 May - Memorial Day in the US - at TCU Legends Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

In his freshman year, Graham was Texas Tech’s star player in the 2024/25 college season, having had the lowest scoring average and carding a team best 16 rounds under par.

The 2022 R&A Junior Open winner was named on the watch list along with two of his Red Raider team-mates in Adam Bresnu and Tim Wiedemeyer.

Niall Shiels Donegan had lots to smile about during his run to the semi-finals in the US Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco | Thien-An Truong/Getty Images

Shiels Donegan was at Northwestern for the 2024/25 college campaign but is now at University of North Carolina as a junior.

Away from college golf, Graham qualified for the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush while Shiels Donegan reached the semi-finals of the US Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Both players also represented Great Britain & Ireland in the 50th Walker Cup at Cypress Point in California, where they were joined by fellow Scot Cameron Adam.

Sons of two big names on list

The Ben Hogan Award has honored the outstanding amateur collegiate golfer at Colonial Country Club since 2002. This year marks the 25th anniversary in Fort Worth.

Others on this year’s watch list include Luke Poulter, Ian’s son, and John Daly II, son of major winner John. Poulter, who is a junior at Florida, also played in the Walker Cup last year, as did fellow Englishman Tyler Weaver, who is also on the list.

Aberg, who shone at Texas Tech, was the winner in both 2022 and 2023 while Fowler and Hovland picked up the prize in 2008 and 2019 respectively. Patrick Cantlay is another former winner.