Stout Awarded McCormack Medal as Top Male Amateur

St Andrews, Scotland and Liberty Corner, New Jersey, United States: American Preston Stout 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 US Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links and The 155th Open at St Andrews.

“Being named the McCormack Medal winner is a tremendous honour and one I’ll never take for granted,” said 22-year-old 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 honour.”

Stout 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 D-I Individual Championship at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California.

In addition to his career-defining NCAA Championship victory, Stout also won the 2026 Big 12 Individual Conference Championship. His win at Prairie Dunes in 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 US 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 honours including a first-team PING All-American selection for the second consecutive year, first-team All-American honours from Golfweek, Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 honours, as well as finalist nods for the Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan and Fred Haskins Awards. He also represented the US 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, including a tied-15th finish at the John Deere Classic in July. He also appeared in the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills where he opened the week with a round of 72 amid blustery conditions at his first ever Major championship.

Before returning to Stillwater in the autumn to chase Millers’ programme record of 11 career wins, Stout will represent his country at the Walker Cup at Lahinch in Ireland next month.

Stout was one of the first four players named to the team and will represent the US at the Walker Cup for a second consecutive year. In 2025, he went 2-2 in the US’s victory at Cypress Point, winning both of his singles matches, including a 2&1 win over Great Britain and Ireland’s Luke Poulter.

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 last-16 at the US Amateur at The Olympic Club after earning medallist honours in stroke play.

“Preston has shown that he’s a rising star in this game and we’re delighted to see him receive this honour 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.”

Grant Moir, Chief Global Golf Alliance Officer at The R&A, added: “Preston has performed exceptionally well over the last year and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the 2026 award. 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 WAGR, which is supported by Rolex, was established in 2007 when the men’s ranking was launched. The men’s ranking encompasses over 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.