The GCAA, in cooperation with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, has announced that SMU’s Will Sides, Georgia Tech’s Hiroshi Tai, and Illinois’ Ryan Voois are the finalists for the 2026 Byron Nelson Award. The honor recognizes outstanding achievement in academics, community service, and golf performance. The winner will be announced June 15 and will receive an exemption into the 2027 THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
WILL SIDES
SMU | Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sides graduated from SMU with a degree in accounting and a 3.80 GPA while putting together one of the best seasons in program history. Ranked No. 12 via Scoreboard Powered by Clippd, he recorded seven top-10 finishes this season, including four straight top-four results, and won three tournaments.
His 69.63 scoring average was SMU’s lowest single-season mark since at least 1993-94, while his 28 rounds at par or better set another modern program benchmark. Sides also became the first Mustang since at least 1980 to win the same tournament in consecutive years with his repeat victory at the Jackson T. Stephens Cup.
A three-time All-Conference selection and 2025 PING All-Central Region honoree, Sides also made a major impact away from golf through mentorship programs, faith leadership, and community outreach. He is a two-time Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar and served as a College Golf Fellowship Team Leader at SMU.
HIROSHI TAI
Georgia Tech | Singapore
Tai completed his Georgia Tech career with a degree in business administration/finance and a 3.86 GPA while cementing himself among the program’s all-time greats. The Singapore native finished inside the top 50 in all 11 starts this season and posted a career-best 69.94 scoring average, the sixth-lowest single-season mark in school history.
Tai’s career was highlighted by his victory at the 2024 NCAA Championship, where he became the fourth player in Georgia Tech history to win the NCAA individual title. A two-time PING All-American, he also represented Singapore internationally and was named the country’s Male Golfer of the Year in 2024.
Off the course, Tai became the first two-time team captain in Georgia Tech men’s golf history and was heavily involved in the school’s Student Athlete Advisory Board and community service initiatives. Before college, he served 22 months in the Singapore Navy.
RYAN VOOIS
Illinois | Ladera Ranch, California
Voois graduated from Illinois with a finance degree and a 3.98 GPA after leading the Fighting Illini in nearly every major statistical category this season. He posted a 70.31 scoring average — the fourth-best single season in program history — while recording five top-10 finishes and eight top-20s.
His season highlight came at the Hal Williams Collegiate, where he co-won the title with a 15-under-par total that included a career-low 63 and the second-best 54-hole score in Illinois history.
A two-time PING Midwest Region selection and 2024 PING Honorable Mention All-American, Voois also compiled an extensive community service record throughout college. His volunteer efforts included food banks, literacy programs, children’s outreach, hospital support initiatives, and suicide awareness events. Before Illinois, he volunteered as a junior coach with First Tee – Orange County.
The Byron Nelson Award winner will be announced June 15.
