Chambana Sun

The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), alongside the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, has announced the finalists for the 2025 Byron Nelson Award. Among them is Jackson Buchanan, a senior golfer from Illinois. The award is presented annually to the top scholar-athlete in collegiate golf. The winner will be revealed during the CJ CUP Byron Nelson Dinner at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, on April 29.

Buchanan, who ranks seventh in the PGA TOUR University Ranking and 16th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, has progressively improved his performance each year. Starting his collegiate career with a scoring average of 72.84, he now holds a 70.90 average through 30 rounds as a senior. Buchanan is notably a 2024 U.S. Amateur Semifinalist and has secured four collegiate victories, including the Fallen Oak Collegiate.

Buchanan is set to graduate with a 3.63 GPA in Business: Operations Management. He has been honored as a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. His community service includes significant contributions to Eastern Illinois Foodbank, the Tinervin Family Foundation, and other community organizations.

Jackson joins an elite list of finalists including Cameron Adam from Northwestern, Matt Buckley of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Clemson's Andrew Swanson, and Jackson Van Paris from Vanderbilt.

The Byron Nelson Award recognizes a graduating senior from Division I, II, III, or NAIA institutions for their achievements on the golf course, in academics, and in their community service.

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