There’s no mistaking momentum. For William Sides, a senior at Southern Methodist University, it came in the form of a resounding win at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup and a steady string of results that have vaulted him into the conversation as one of college golf’s most reliable performers. This week, that consistency paid off in a big way: Sides climbed seven spots to No. 8 in the PGA TOUR University Rankings, marking the biggest leap of the week and his first appearance inside the coveted top 10.

Rising on Results

Sides’ breakthrough moment came at the Stephens Cup, where he outlasted a field stacked with future professionals to claim medalist honors. The 19.472 ranking points from that win proved pivotal, but the Stephens Cup wasn’t a one-off. He has quietly been piecing together a season full of meaningful finishes: a runner-up at the Vaqueros Intercollegiate, a top 10 at The Goodwin, and a T9 at the ACC Men’s Golf Championship. Even in events where he didn’t contend, like the NCAA Auburn Regional or the Pauma Valley Invitational, he collected just enough points to keep the upward climb alive.

Event Points Snapshot

Those results combine for a 957.2391 points average across just 12 counting events — fewer than many of the players around him — underscoring the efficiency of his climb.

The SMU Backbone

At SMU, Sides has been more than just a numbers machine. In 2024–25, he carried a 71.15 scoring average, recorded 21 rounds of par or better, and turned in nine scores in the 60s. His win at the 2024 Stephens Cup introduced him as a national force, and his return victory in 2025 confirmed it was no fluke. He added a T6 at the Trinity Forest Invitational and a T11 at the Valero Texas Collegiate, proving he can deliver on familiar tracks as well as on the national stage.

The Tulsa native has been a fixture in SMU’s lineup since his freshman year, earning All-Conference honors in each of his first two seasons. Along the way, he has built a reputation for finishing strong — whether it was a closing 67 at the Hal Williams Collegiate or a playoff win under pressure at the Stephens Cup.

Background and Character

Sides’ path traces back to Cascia Hall in Tulsa, where he was a two-time Rolex All-American, a state champion, and the winner of the school’s highest academic honor, the Cascia Medal. His athletic roots run deep: his grandfather, Billy Hughes, played football at Tulsa, while his great-uncle Randy Hughes suited up for the Dallas Cowboys. At SMU, he’s as known for his leadership and work ethic as he is for his scores.

What’s Next

The jump into the Top 10 isn’t just symbolic. With PGA TOUR University offering direct pathways onto professional tours, staying inside this echelon is critical for securing status after graduation. For Sides, it validates years of steady improvement and opens the door for an even bigger fall season. With just a handful of starts separating him from the finish line of his college career, every round from here forward carries weight. And if the Stephens Cup proved anything, it’s that William Sides is more than ready for the challenge.