Daniel Bennett had a freshman season to be remembered, and he’s being recognized for his stellar debut.
The South African was named the winner of the 2025 Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced last week. The award recognizes the best freshman in men’s college golf each year. Last year, the award went to Auburn’s Jackson Koivun.
He’s the fifth Texas player to win the Mickelson Award, joining Cole Hammer (2019), Scottie Scheffler (2015), Brandon Stone (2013) and David Gossett (1999).
Bennett finished his season with a team-best 70.00 scoring average in 11 stroke-play tournaments. He tallied a pair of individual runner-up finishes, four top-threes and five top-10s. Twenty-four of his 34 rounds this year were par or better, including 15 rounds in the 60s.
Bennett tied for second at the Valspar Collegiate Invitational, finishing runner-up to Fred Haskins Award winner David Ford, shooting 16 under for the 54-hole event.
This week, Bennett will represent the International team at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup. The event is a Ryder Cup-style tournament featuring the top men’s and women’s college golfers matching the United States against a team of International players.
The United States leads the Palmer Cup series 15-12-1. The 2025 Palmer Cup will be played June 5-7 at Congaree Golf Club in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The Americans won last year at Lahinch. Twelve men and 12 women comprise each roster.
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