Predictions for the 2026-27 college golf season, including champions and Players of the Year

The 2026-27 college golf season is set to return with promising storylines and high expectations for champions and Players of the Year. Golfweek has released its preseason rankings, All-Americans, and freshman to watch, providing insights into potential outcomes for the upcoming year.

For the men's national championship, Arizona State is favored to win, thanks to their standout roster led by seniors Connor Williams and Fifa Laopakdee, along with promising underclassmen Boston Bracken, Nguyen Anh Minh, and freshman Oscar Couilleau. USC is predicted to claim the women's national championship, challenging Stanford's dominance with a strong lineup featuring Jasmine Koo, Bailey Shoemaker, Elise Lee, and Kylie Chong.

The best men's freshman to watch is Tyler Watts, who is ranked third in the world and has already achieved success in amateur golf. Mia Hammond at Duke is predicted to be the top women's freshman, following her professional win last summer and joining a highly talented Duke roster.

Regarding team advancements, Tennessee men's are expected to make a strong return to match play, bolstered by Rudy Sautron's transfer and the addition of Tyler Watts and Pennson Badgett. For the women, Texas A&M is predicted to succeed where they fell short last year, thanks to their depth and potential to compete at Omni La Costa.

In coaching, Tennessee's Brennan Webb is predicted to win the Men's Coach of the Year award, while Miami's Janice Olivencia is tipped to win the Women's Coach of the Year, thanks to their roster revamp led by Scarlett Schremmer. Notable transfers include Arizona State's Nguyen Anh Minh and Miami's Scarlett Schremmer, who are expected to make significant impacts in the upcoming season.