North Carolina's David Ford claims 5th win of season, makes case for Haskins Award

Yahoo

14-04-2025

David Ford has put together a season that is the best in the history of North Carolina men's golf, and the postseason hasn't even started.
The senior won his fifth tournament of the season Sunday, claiming the Tar Heel Intercollegiate at Finley Golf Club by four shots over Elon's Jack Wieler. Ford finished at 7-under 203 for the tournament, and it was his third straight win this spring, coming on the heels of wins at the Valspar Intercollegiate and the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational. Both wins earned him PGA Tour exemptions, but he may have his Tour card by the end of next month thanks to his stellar play.
Advertisement
Ford is ranked first in the NCAA golf rankings as conference championship season gets underway Monday, and he's also the top-ranked golfer in the PGA Tour University ranking for the Class of 2025. His latest stretch of brilliance has increased his lead on Auburn's Brendan Valdes. If Ford maintains the No. 1 spot by the end of stroke play at the NCAA Championship, he will earn his PGA Tour card immediately and can take up membership.
Ford would become the third player to earn a card after finishing first in the PGA Tour University, following in the footsteps of Ludvig Aberg and Michael Thorbjornsen. He would also join Gordon Sargent, a senior at Vanderbilt, in joining the PGA Tour after the NCAA Championship. Luke Clanton, a junior at Florida State, has also earned his Tour card but hasn't officially announced whether he'll turn pro after the NCAA Championship, though that's the expectation.
More: 2025 NCAA men's college golf conference championship dates and results
His five wins in 2024-25 are the most in a single season in the history of UNC golf, and Ford has also tied Dustin Bray for the UNC career record with seven titles. He has made his case for best player in UNC history, and his accolades may keep coming with ACCS and the postseason lurking.
Advertisement
In addition to closing in on a PGA Tour card, Ford is making his case for the Fred Haskins Award, which is given to college golf's Player of the Year. Clanton, who is a virtual lock for the Ben Hogan Award, made a push this spring or Haskins consideration, but it's important to distinguish the criteria for both awards and why Ford and Clanton should take home their respective awards.
The Haskins Award is given to the best player in college golf, which to this point has been Ford. He has the most wins in all of Division I, let alone the Power 4 conferences. He beat Clanton head-to-head at the Valspar last month, has three more victories than him and has nearly slammed the door on any challengers for the Haskins with his play down the stretch. The duo will face off at ACCs, where Clanton could close the gap with a win, but Ford would still hold the advantage in college golf.
The Hogan Award, however, considers a player's performance in college, amateur and professional events over a 12-month period. Clanton had the award locked up by last fall, and he has only grasped the trophy tighter with his performances in not only college golf but PGA Tour events this spring. He locked up his PGA Tour card by making the cut at the Cognizant Classic in February and said his last goal for amateur golf is to win a national championship with Florida State. The Seminoles finished runner-up to Auburn last year.
In a little more than a month's time, the duo is likely to claim their respective awards before turning professional and competing on the PGA Tour this summer. Until then, it's time to enjoy the immensely talented crop of amateurs who have only a few rounds left of their amateur careers.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: David Ford wins for fifth time, closing in on winning Haskins Award