Kihei Akina was named to the 2025-26 Fred Haskins Award Postseason Watchlist presented by Stifel, according to an announcement on May 6 by Golfweek, Golf Channel and The Back of the Range.
The Fred Haskins Award is given each year to the most outstanding male collegiate golfer in the United States. The award, which began in 1971 and honors golf teaching professional Fred Haskins, has recognized several notable athletes over its history. Former BYU player Bobby Clampett won the award twice, in 1979 and 1980, while Peter Kuest (2020), Rick Fehr (1984) and Keith Clearwater (1982) were finalists.
Akina’s performance during his freshman campaign included two tournament victories at the R.E. Lamkin and Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational events. He finished with a scoring average of 68.92 across twelve tournaments, recording two runner-up finishes as well as seven top-five and ten top-ten placements. Akina is currently ranked No. 6 on NCAA Scoreboard player rankings and No. 29 on World Amateur Golf Ranking.
Out of fifteen men’s golfers selected for this year’s watchlist, Akina was the only freshman included and one of only two players from Big 12 schools; Oklahoma State’s Preston Stout also made the list after winning the Big 12 Championship.
The ten finalists for this honor will be announced Friday, May 22. Voting for the winner will take place until June 1 following completion of stroke play at the NCAA Championship. The Haskins Honors event for finalists and their coaches is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27 at Grand Blanc Maison.
