By: Gwyneth Passinault
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Ben Hogan Award Watch List has officially been released for 2026, featuring one of Notre Dame’s own in Jacob Modleski. The junior golfer has been selected among some of the most accomplished players across college golf. The selection of Modleski was based on his collegiate performances over the past 12 months.
With his nomination for the prestigious award after Modleksi’s junior fall season, he currently ranks as the 18th overall player by World Amateur Golf. Collegiately, he is ranked as the 36th national player. Modleski finished top 10 in all five fall tournaments for the Irish to open his junior season, boasting a stroke average of 67.95 through 15 rounds played.
After his second season with the Irish, the Noblesville, Indiana native, became the first in program history to be named to the Walker Cup team. In 2025, he captured the ACC Individual Championship, becoming the first athlete in program history to earn the title. He was named to the PING All-Region Team (Midwest) and reached a career high national ranking of 18th. He also competed at the NCAA Championship, finishing 22nd overall and set a program record with the lowest season stroke average in school history at 68.5.
This year’s 10 semifinalists will be unveiled on Thursday, April 16th. That group will be pared down to three finalists on Tuesday, May 12th in Fort Worth, Texas, where the winner will be named.