USC junior Jaden Dumdumaya enters the 2026-2027 season following a breakout sophomore year and another strong summer in amateur golf.
The Benicia, California, native became the first USC men’s golfer to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors, received PING All American Honorable Mention recognition and helped the Trojans reach their first NCAA Championship in seven years. His summer included a second consecutive Pacific Coast Amateur title, a quarterfinal appearance at the Western Amateur and a spot in the U.S. Amateur.
In an interview with CGN, Dumdumaya discussed his family connection to golf, his development at USC and the mental approach he is carrying into his junior season.
Career Highlights
• Big Ten Player of the Year
• First Team All Big Ten
• Les Bolstad Award recipient
• PING All American Honorable Mention
• PING All West Region
• Two time Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient
• Two time Pacific Coast Amateur champion
• 2026 Western Amateur quarterfinalist
• 2026 U.S. Amateur participant
• 2023 Philippine National Men’s Golf Player
• Two time CIF State Champion
Breakout Sophomore Season
Dumdumaya established himself as one of USC’s leaders during the 2025 to 2026 season.
He recorded five Top 10 finishes and nine Top 25 finishes while helping USC win four tournaments and reach the NCAA Championship. He also posted two rounds of 63, including one at the Trinity Forest Invitational that tied the second lowest round in program history.
His performance earned him Big Ten Player of the Year, First Team All Big Ten, PING All West Region and PING All American Honorable Mention honors.
Success Beyond College Golf
Dumdumaya continued his momentum during the summer, winning the Pacific Coast Amateur for the second straight year and reaching the quarterfinals of the Western Amateur. He also competed in the 2026 U.S. Amateur.
His amateur background includes representing the Philippines at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and being named the 2023 Philippine National Men’s Golf Player.
Before USC, he helped De La Salle win consecutive CIF State Championships and became the youngest winner of the California State Fair Tournament in 98 years.
Golf as a Family
Golf has been part of Dumdumaya’s life since childhood.
He told CGN that he began playing at approximately one or two years old and entered tournaments by four or five. His father, who teaches golf in Northern California, has remained his only golf coach. His father and brother, Vohn, also rotate as his caddie during amateur events.
That family support has remained an important part of his career as he has progressed from junior golf to USC and national amateur competition.
Why USC
Dumdumaya wanted to remain on the West Coast and was drawn to Los Angeles, but USC’s competitive environment ultimately separated the program during recruiting.
He told CGN that being surrounded by accomplished athletes appealed to him because he wanted an environment that would continuously push him to improve.
Interview Highlights with CGN
Strengthening His Mental Game
Dumdumaya identified the mental side as one of the biggest areas of focus entering his junior season.
Rather than expecting perfect golf, he has worked on staying present and separating what he can control from what he cannot.
Resetting After Each Shot
Part of that approach involves leaving the previous shot behind.
Once Dumdumaya puts his club away and begins walking, he uses that moment as a reset. His goal is to prevent one mistake or unfortunate break from affecting the rest of his round.
Chasing Bigger Goals
Dumdumaya’s long term goals remain clear: help USC compete for a national championship and eventually pursue professional golf.
After helping the Trojans return to the NCAA Championship and adding another successful amateur summer, his junior season represents the next opportunity to move toward both goals.
Quick Facts
University: USC
Class: Junior
Major: Business Administration
Hometown: Benicia, California
High School: De La Salle
Height: 5 foot 6
Sports Hero: Stephen Curry
Hobbies: Fishing, paddle boarding, video games and biking
Looking Ahead
Dumdumaya enters his junior season with conference honors, NCAA Championship experience and success against elite amateur fields already on his résumé.
His focus now turns toward building on that foundation, strengthening his mental game and helping USC take another step forward in 2026 to 2027.
Sources: