Illini Golf 2025-2026

#2      
Illini_golf-fan
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Mandy Johnson Birdwell on Instagram: "I couldn’t be more proud & excited for Chase. I am in awe of his dedication hard-work & passion for this game of golf. So, not only is his dream of playing D1 college golf come true, but he gets to share it w

124 likes, 8 comments - mandybirdwell on August 2, 2025: "I couldn’t be more proud & excited for Chase. I am in awe of his dedication hard-work & passion for this game of golf. So, not only is his dream of playing D1 college golf come true, but he gets to share it with Jake. As I always...
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Early 2027 recruit. Jake Birdwell’s brother
 
#4      
whatahack
Just noticed that we don't have anyone in the PGA U top 25. Has to be a long time since that has happened.
 
#5      
FlyNavy
whatahack said:
Just noticed that we don't have anyone in the PGA U top 25. Has to be a long time since that has happened.
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While Max isn't eligible for the list yet (or he would've been on it), I am surprised that Ryan didn't make the top 25. He's #42 in the WAGR with many of the guys above him being underclassmen, including 4 of the top 5. I'll be curious how close he is when the full list comes out (I'm guessing #26-28).

Big opportunity to improve his standing at the U.S. Amateur this week!
 
#7      
DRS
whatahack said:
Just noticed that we don't have anyone in the PGA U top 25. Has to be a long time since that has happened.
Click to expand...
Is there an update list with summer results? A player must be in his forth year of eligibility to be on the list and or a senior. It is a very confusing process. but Max will be on it next year for sure. As stated before Ryan has to be close.
 
#8      
DRS
This is going to be another big year for the team. We are again very strong and there will be battles for a spot in the top 5. Max and Ryan are extremely strong 1-2. Max flashes tourney winning game but is still plagued by the odd 75 every now and again but overall this is a solid number 1. Ryan I thought originally was going to be more of steady par(ish) shooter but turns out he is a go low guy. He has throughout his career shown the ability to shoot a 67 out of the blue. If he can find a bit more consistency with his 'off' rounds he will be a force.

After that it seems wide open to me. Trey started out his freshman year as a par machine but faltered a bit down the stretch. To me he is the safest bet of the returners to be part of the top 5. He has a high level game and could mature fast. Ethan is battle tested and was the 5th leading scorer last year. He has off tourneys for sure where he didn't contribute at all. Could he take that Junior year leap, it is certainly a possibility. Tunnell and Huddleston(this dude won 5 times last year which is 4th most in the history of the NCAA even despite lower comp tourneys that is really impressive.) are gonna push for sports no doubt. I think Huddleston takes a spot after the top two and the rest is a battle. Birdwell/Butress/Snyman will all have a lot to prove to break into the top of the squad. There is a lot of talent on this squad and could if things fall into place be very formidable.
 
#9      
FeelYourPaign
DRS said:
This is going to be another big year for the team. We are again very strong and there will be battles for a spot in the top 5. Max and Ryan are extremely strong 1-2. Max flashes tourney winning game but is still plagued by the odd 75 every now and again but overall this is a solid number 1. Ryan I thought originally was going to be more of steady par(ish) shooter but turns out he is a go low guy. He has throughout his career shown the ability to shoot a 67 out of the blue. If he can find a bit more consistency with his 'off' rounds he will be a force.

After that it seems wide open to me. Trey started out his freshman year as a par machine but faltered a bit down the stretch. To me he is the safest bet of the returners to be part of the top 5. He has a high level game and could mature fast. Ethan is battle tested and was the 5th leading scorer last year. He has off tourneys for sure where he didn't contribute at all. Could he take that Junior year leap, it is certainly a possibility. Tunnell and Huddleston(this dude won 5 times last year which is 4th most in the history of the NCAA even despite lower comp tourneys that is really impressive.) are gonna push for sports no doubt. I think Huddleston takes a spot after the top two and the rest is a battle. Birdwell/Butress/Snyman will all have a lot to prove to break into the top of the squad. There is a lot of talent on this squad and could if things fall into place be very formidable.
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Really helpful summary. I'll have to pin this and watch events unfold. Thanks
 
#10      
FlyNavy
Ryan survived the playoff and advances to match play at the U.S. Amateur!

Times are PT, so Max's match kicks off soon. Follow here

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Coverage will start on Peacock at noon PT/2pm CT, then go to Golf Channel an hour later. I'm guessing Ryan will get some TV coverage today...
 
#12      
FlyNavy
I had the coverage time wrong earlier. Coverage on Peacock will start at 5pm CT, Golf Channel at 6pm. Should catch the tail end of Ryan's match.

Max off to a good start, 2UP thru 8!
 
#14      
whatahack
Voois hanging in there...all square after 15 against a much higher ranked player
 
#17      
FlyNavy
I did get to watch coverage on Peacock, which showed most of Ryan's shots and gave a plenty of praise to Coach and the Illini program. Coverage started on 14 - Ryan had a nice approach and birdie (he got a good line off of Jackson's putt). Traded pars on 15, then Ryan got into trouble on 16 by driving into the bunker and then hitting the lip on the next shot. Ended with a bogey while Jackson was able to scramble for par. At the Par 5 17th he got next to the green in 2 but had a tough downhill chip which he smoked past the hole. Ryan two-putted for par, Jackson (who reached in two) two-putted for birdie, match over. Solid battle against solid competition, just came up short.

Koivun (#1 amateur) will play Max tomorrow morning at 9:30am PT. It would've been Ryan vs. Max if he would've pulled off the win.
 
#21      
FlyNavy
Next up will be Mason Howell, a HS Senior who is committed to Georgia. Mason just defeated the #2 amateur golfer Ben James. Their match begins in one hour, hopefully Max can keep it up!

Golf Channel coverage begins at 6pm CT.
 
#22      
FlyNavy
Max went down 2&1 to Mason Howell yesterday, ending his run in the U.S. Amateur. Definitely a solid run, will go down as a T9 against a stacked field of 312. Congrats to Max, and to Ryan for making it to match play!

The top remaining amateur is ND's Modleski (#15). Junior standout Miles Russell and the younger John Daly are also among the remaining golfers.
 
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