The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men’s Golf’s Bennett claims spot on PING All-America First Team
05.28.2025 | Men's Golf
Freshman Daniel Bennett is one of 10 players to earn a place on the prestigious first team.
CARLSBAD, Calif. — University of Texas Men's Golf freshman Daniel Bennett has been recognized as a 2025 Division I PING First-Team All-American by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) in partnership with Golf Channel at the NCAA Division I Championships. Bennett is one of 10 players selected to the prestigious squad.
In addition to Bennett, the Division I PING All-America First Team includes: Josele Ballester (Arizona State), Luke Clanton (Florida State), Ethan Fang (Oklahoma State), David Ford (North Carolina), Ben James (Virginia), Jackson Koivun (Auburn), Michael La Sasso (Ole Miss), Preston Stout (Oklahoma State) and Brendan Valdes (Auburn).
Bennett was earlier recognized as the SEC Freshman of the Year in addition to earning First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman Team mention. He was one of 12 men's players chosen for Team International to compete in the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup (June 5-7 at Congaree GC in Ridgeland, S.C.) and was one of 15 players on the Fred Haskins Award presented by Stifel Postseason Watch List. Bennett is currently No. 63 in the latest World Amateur Golf Ranking (May 28) and No. 7 in the latest NCAA individual rankings by Scoreboard (May 27).
Bennett concluded the season with a team-best 70.00 scoring average during his 11 stroke-play tournament appearances this season. He registered a pair of individual runner-up finishes, four top-three showings, five top-10 finishes and placed in the top-16 in eight of his 11 stroke-play events. The SEC Men's Freshman of the Week (April 16), 24 of his 34 rounds this year were par or better, including 15 rounds in the 60s.
Bennett tied for second at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational (March 24-25) with a 16-under 197 (64-67-66), and he posted his collegiate-low 18-hole score of 7-under 64 in the opening round of the tournament (March 24). He also tied for second at the Southwestern Invitational (Jan. 27-29) with a 4-under 209 (72-70-67). Bennett tied for third at The Ford Collegiate (April 14-15) with a 3-under 207 (72-68-67) and tied for third at the Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) with a 5-under 205 (65-69-71) in his collegiate debut.
Bennett and Texas recently completed the 2024-25 season with a run to the Match Play quarterfinals at the 2025 NCAA Championships at Omni La Costa (Carlsbad, Calif.). The Longhorns claimed five team titles and 10 top-three finishes during its 13 stroke-play events of the 2024-25 season. With its tie for fifth in this year's national championship, Texas recorded its 11th top-five finish at the NCAA Championship under the direction of 28th-year head coach John Fields.
Players Mentioned
