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see also: Ryan Voois, Golf Coaches Association of America
The prestigaward comes with an exemption into the 2027 PGA TOUR's THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in Texas
Illinois senior Ryan Voois of Ladera Ranch, California, has been named the 2026 Byron Nelson Award recipient, recognizing the nation's top graduating collegiate golfer for excellence in the classroom, on the golf course, and in the community.
Voois becomes the second consecutive Illinois player to earn the honor, following Jackson Buchanan in 2025. The Fighting Illini are the first program to produce back-to-back Byron Nelson Award winners since the award was established in 2002.
The award also includes an exemption into the 2027 PGA TOUR's THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
"Receiving the Byron Nelson Award is incredibly meaningful because it recognizes success not just on the golf course but in the classroom and the community as well," Voois said.
Ryan Voois By The Numbers
In the Classroom:
* Graduated from Illinois in May 2026 with a degree in Finance
* 3.98 cumulative GPA
* Three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection
* Two-time Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar
On the Golf Course
* Led Illinois in scoring average during the 2025-26 season (70.31)
* Posted the fourth-lowest single-season scoring average in program history
* Recorded eight top-20 finishes during his senior campaign
* Earned co-medalist honors at the Hal Williams Collegiate
* Fired a career-low 63 during the event
* Finished his career with a 71.77 scoring average, sixth-best in Illinois history
* Three-time PING All-Midwest Region selection (2024-26)
* First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2025 and 2026
* 2024 PING Honorable Mention All-American
In the community:
* Eastern Illinois Foodbank
* I Read I Count literacy and math tutoring program
* DREAAM Love of Sports Shootout
* Illinois DIA Holiday Cards for Kids
* Carle Hospital outreach programs
* Strides Shelter volunteer projects
* International Prep Academy youth programs
* Tinervin Family Foundation food distribution efforts
* Campus Walk for Suicide Awareness
Before arriving at Illinois, Voois also served as a junior coach with First Tee–Orange County, mentoring young golfers in the same program where he learned the game.
Illinois head coach Mike Small praised Voois for embodying the values associated with the award.
"His successes both on the golf course and in the classroom, along with his efforts in the community, make him a very worthy and deserving recipient," Small said.
The purpose of the Byron Nelson Award is to select annually the outstanding Division I, II, III, or NAIA scholar-athlete of the year. The recipient, a graduating senior, is recognized for their achievement in the classroom, on the course, and in thei...
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