The GCAA and Salesmanship Club of Dallas announced Will Sides of SMU, Hiroshi Tai of Georgia Tech, and Ryan Voois of Illinois as finalists for the 2026 Byron Nelson Award. The winner will be announced June 15 and receive an exemption into the 2027 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas.

Sides graduated from SMU with a 3.80 GPA in accounting after posting seven top 10 finishes this season, including three victories and a program record 69.63 scoring average. Off the course, he participated in Team IMPACT, the SMU Pen Pal Program, and College Golf Fellowship leadership initiatives.

Tai completed his Georgia Tech career with a finance degree and a 3.86 GPA. The Singapore native recorded four top 10 finishes this season and previously won the 2024 NCAA Division I individual national championship. Tai also served on Georgia Tech’s Student Athlete Advisory Board and represented Singapore internationally.

Voois graduated from Illinois with a 3.98 GPA in finance after leading the Fighting Illini in scoring average during the 2025 to 26 season. He posted five top 10 finishes and remained active in community outreach through volunteer work with local schools, food banks, and youth organizations.

The Byron Nelson Award recognizes the top graduating senior in collegiate golf across NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA competition based on achievements in academics, golf, and community service.

Source:

GCAA