LIBERTY CORNER, N.J., and ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (Aug. 19, 2026) – Preston Stout, 22, of Richardson, Texas, has won the Mark H. McCormack Medal as the leading male in the 2026 World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®.
The McCormack Medal winner receives exemptions into the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links and The 155th Open at St. Andrews (Old Course), in Scotland.
“Being named the McCormack Medal winner is a tremendous honor, and one I’ll never take for granted,” said Stout. “This recognition reflects not just my own work, but the support of everyone who has pushed me to get better along the way. It motivates me to keep raising my own bar and chasing what’s next. I’m grateful to be included among the players who have earned this honor.”
The American rose to the top of the men’s ranking following a junior campaign at Oklahoma State University that saw him amass five individual victories, including the NCAA Division I Individual Championship at Omni La Costa Resort, in Carlsbad, Calif.
In addition to his career-defining NCAA Championship victory, Stout also won the 2026 Big 12 Conference Championship. His win at Prairie Dunes C.C., in Hutchinson, Kansas, marked a historic moment, as he became the first-ever three-time Big 12 champion and matched Texas Golf Hall of Famer and 1977 U.S. Open low amateur Lindy Miller as the only Cowboy to ever win three conference titles.
For his record-breaking season, Stout earned a myriad of national honors, including a first-team PING All-American selection for the second consecutive year, first-team All-American honors from Golfweek, Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honors, as well as being a finalist for the Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Fred Haskins Awards. He also represented the USA Team at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships in Singapore.
He built upon his historic junior season at Oklahoma State with appearances in five professional events. The Texan made the cut in two, namely a T-15 finish at the John Deere Classic in July. He also appeared in the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, where he opened the week with a round of 2-over-par 72 amid blustery conditions in his first major championship.
Before returning to Stillwater in the fall to chase Millers’ program record of 11 career wins, Stout will represent his country at the 2026 Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club, in the Republic of Ireland.
The 22-year-old was one of the first four players named to the roster and will represent the United States at the Walker Cup for a second consecutive year. In 2025, he posted a 2-2 mark in the USA’s victory at Cypress Point, winning both of his singles matches, including a 2-and-1 decision over Great Britain & Ireland’s Luke Poulter, who also will be on the 2026 GB&I Team.
In addition to his accomplishments this year, Stout put together a standout 2025 season, winning the Northeast Amateur, his second Big 12 title and advancing to the Round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club after earning medalist honors in stroke play.
“Preston has shown that he’s a rising star in this game, and we’re delighted to see him receive this honor and all that comes with it,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer. “Performing at such a high level so consistently speaks to the hard work and dedication Preston has brought to his craft as an elite amateur golfer. We’re excited to watch his career continue to flourish in the years to come.”
“Preston has performed exceptionally well over the last year and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the 2026 award,” said Grant Moir, Chief Global Golf Alliance Officer at The R&A. “Preston has enjoyed a number of victories at collegiate level and also impressed in professional events, demonstrating the skills that have also earned a second Walker Cup appearance for next month’s match at Lahinch. We look forward to watching Preston’s career progress in the years ahead.”
This announcement comes one week after Kiara Romero, of the University of Oregon, received the women’s McCormack Medal for the second consecutive year. Romero elected to forgo her senior season with the Ducks and turn professional shortly after winning the award.
The R&A and the USGA co-award the McCormack Medal annually. It is named after Mark H. McCormack, who founded sports marketing company IMG and was a great supporter of amateur golf.
The World Amateur Golf Ranking, which is supported by Rolex, was established in 2007 when the men’s ranking was launched. The men’s ranking encompasses more than 4,000 counting events, ranking over 5,000 players from 129 countries. The women’s ranking was launched in 2011 and has a calendar of 3,000 counting events with more than 3,310 ranked players from 103 countries.
About the USGA
The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. The USGA also manages day-to-day operations for the U.S. National Development Program, the country’s first unified pathway for American talent, and the World Golf Hall of Fame, preserving and celebrating the legacies of the game’s greatest figures. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. For more, visit usga.org.
