Virginia senior Ben James secured the top spot in the final PGA TOUR University Class of 2026 rankings, earning PGA TOUR membership through the 2027 season.
James locked up the No. 1 position after tying for 16th during stroke play at the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. He becomes the fourth player to earn a PGA TOUR card through PGA TOUR University after finishing first in the final rankings.
The Virginia standout led the PGA TOUR University rankings throughout his senior campaign and finished his collegiate career with seven victories and 35 top 10 finishes in 46 starts. James also helped lead Virginia to ACC titles in 2025 and 2026 along with a national runner up finish in 2025.
Texas senior Christiaan Maas finished No. 2 in the final standings, followed by Oklahoma’s Jase Summy, Arizona’s Filip Jakubcik, and Texas golfer Luke Potter.
Players finishing Nos. 2 through 10 earned Korn Ferry Tour membership, while players ranked Nos. 11 through 25 earned PGA TOUR Americas membership.
Oklahoma State junior Preston Stout also claimed the NCAA individual championship at 14 under par after a final round 69. Stout earned the Arnold Palmer National Individual Champion Award and moved into position as one of the top returning players for the PGA TOUR University Class of 2027.
Final PGA TOUR University Top 10
- Ben James, Virginia
- Christiaan Maas, Texas
- Jase Summy, Oklahoma
- Filip Jakubcik, Arizona
- Luke Potter, Texas
- Tommy Morrison, Texas
- William Sides, SMU
- Mahanth Chirravuri, Pepperdine
- Frankie Harris, South Carolina
- Wells Williams, Vanderbilt
Players Earning PGA TOUR Americas Membership
- Lance Simpson, Tennessee
- Michael Alexander Mjaaseth, Arizona State
- Paul Chang, Virginia
- Tom Fischer, Ole Miss
- Cameron Tankersley, Ole Miss
- Matthew Kress, Florida
- Bryan Lee, Virginia
- Zachery Pollo, Arizona
- Daniel Svärd, Northwestern
- Ethan Evans, Duke
- Mesa Falleur, New Mexico
- Brady Siravo, Pepperdine
- Garrett Endicott, Mississippi State
- Cohen Trolio, Ole Miss
- Ryan Voois, Illinois
Sources: PGA Tour