Freshman Kihei Akina was named to the Haskins Award Finalist Watch List presented by Stifel on May 22, as announced by Golfweek, Golf Channel and The Back of the Range. The Haskins Award is given annually to the top male U.S. Division I golfer and is voted on by players, coaches, members of the college golf media and past Haskins Award winners.
The recognition highlights Akina’s standout performance during his first year with BYU Cougars Men’s Golf. He is the only freshman among ten finalists and becomes the first freshman in program history to make the watch list. The last BYU recipient of this honor was Bobby Clampett, who won it in consecutive years in 1979 and 1980.
Akina joins nine other golfers on this year’s watch list, including Preston Stout from Oklahoma State. Other former BYU finalists include Peter Kuest (2020), Rick Fehr (1984), and Keith Clearwater (1982). During his freshman campaign in 2025-26, Akina secured two individual titles and set a new single-season scoring average record for BYU at 68.95. He also recorded two runner-up finishes, seven top-five placements, and ten top-ten finishes out of thirteen events.
Akina’s achievements earned him a No. 6 ranking on NCAA Scoreboard player rankings and selection to Team USA for the Arnold Palmer Cup this season. Voting for the Haskins Award will take place from May 22 through June 1 following completion of stroke play at the NCAA National Championship.
Division I players, coaches, past award winners, men’s golf sports information directors and select college golf media members are eligible to vote for this year’s winner.
