Ben James, a rising senior on the UVA Golf team, is ranked #1 on the PGA Tour U Preseason Top 25.
The Millford, Conn., native is one of three members of the UVA Golf team ranked in the Preseason Top 25.
Paul Chang was ranked 18th; Bryan Lee was ranked 20th.
In case you’re wondering, there’s one guy who emails me often about UVA Golf who will be ecstatic that I write about this.
Me, personally, I gave up golf many, many years ago, despite me living literally down the street from a golf course.
I run a 5K every day around said golf course.
Running, to me, far easier than trying to hit a golf ball.
ICYMI
- UVA Golf: Three-time All-American Ben James named to 2025 Walker Cup team
- UVA Men’s Golf team finishes as national runner-up after historic 2025 season
James, a three-time All-American, is set to represent the U.S. in the 2025 Walker Cup, which will be contested Sept. 6-7 at the Cypress Point Club, in Pebble Beach, Calif.
James, who is ranked #2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, finished T-33 in the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open in April with a one-over 289.
He also competed in the 2025 U.S. Open in June, missing the cut with an eight-over 148 through two rounds, and the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in July, where he missed the cut with a two-under 140 through two rounds.
The #1 preseason ranking is a first for a UVA Golf team member.
The top-ranked player at the end of the 2025-2026 college season will earn PGA Tour membership.
Players in the 2-10 spots earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2026, and those in the 2-5 spots are exempt into the final stage of the Q-School.
Nos. 6-25 are exempt into the second stage of Q-School, and 11-25 earn exempt membership for PGA Tour Americas Segment II in 2026.
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Chris Graham
