Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior, Ryan Voois is the 2026 Byron Nelson Award winner!
Following Jackson Buchanan in 2025, an Illini golfer has earned the prestigious award for the second year in a row.
If you are looking for an underdog to root for at the U.S. Open, we know just the guy.
“Really low times … I’ve been leaning on my wife.”
Three years after becoming a PGA TOUR champion, @NickHardy8 finds himself in no-man's land as he bounces between Tours. In 2026, Hardy has made seven Korn Ferry Tour starts with zero top-25s, and six PGA TOUR starts with just one made cut. He's outside the top 130 on each circuit's season-long standings, fighting to secure a playing schedule for 2027.
Today, he earned his spot in a major championship.
He even leaned on advice from a former U.S. Open champion, Lucas Glover.
“The lows are never as low as it seems and the highs are never as high as it seems.”
Golf is a funny game … One that inspires perseverance, hard work and a positive attitude. Nick Hardy has shown all of the above, and now he has a tee time at Shinnecock Hills in his national championship ❤️
And in the words of the man himself … “I like my game for a U.S. Open.”
The final ranking is LIVE!
No. 1 Ben James earned @PGATOUR membership and all other athletes have earned spots on either the @KornFerryTour or PGA TOUR Americas 🤝
(Presented by @Huntington_Bank)
🔸Illini Archives🔹
Added to the collection at Colonial.
After opening with consecutive then-tournament record 63s, Steve Stricker won the 2009 Crowne Plaza Invitational on the second playoff hole, beating Tim Clark and Steve Marino.
Led by senior Ryan Voois' 67 (-4), the No. 12 Fighting Illini shot 9-under in Round 2 of the NCAA Athens Regional, pulling within two strokes of the cutline heading into Wednesday's final round.
🔗: https://t.co/02o0NHXWC6
NCAA Athens Regional | Rd 2
Ryan Voois (-3) goes birdie-birdie-par to cap a 4-under 67! He is in the clubhouse at T16.
The Illini (-8) are T7, four shots outside of the top five with Trey Marrion & Max Herendeen still to finish.
📊: https://t.co/8IwgZ2KxK5
NCAA Athens Regional | Rd 2
Trey Marrion (-2) posts back-to-back birdies on Holes 11 and 12 and joins Max Herendeen (T15, -3) inside the top 20.
Illini (-8) sit alone in sixth place, five strokes outside of the top 5 with 3-6 remaining in Round 2.
📊: https://t.co/8IwgZ2KxK5
NCAA Athens Regional | Rd 2
Ryan Voois (-1) moves into the top 20 with his fourth bird of the day on No. 12! He is 2-under on the day.
📊: https://t.co/8IwgZ2KxK5