ORLANDO, Fla. — Freshman golfer Kihei Akina was named to the United States Arnold Palmer Cup team on Tuesday by the 2026 Arnold Palmer Cup.
“It is a pretty cool thing to be a part of such an awesome and historic tournament,” Akina said. “It’s always cool when you have the chance to be able to represent and play for your country, so I’m excited to represent in Ireland. Mr. Palmer was one of the greatest golfers to live, and what he’s done for the game and this tournament is really cool to see. I just feel really grateful and excited.”
Akina’s No. 6 rank on NCAA Scoreboard player rankings helped him earn his selection, making him one of 11 U.S. players to qualify for the team automatically. The freshman boasted a 68.92 scoring average in 12 events this season. One other player got chosen for the coach’s pick to round out the top-12 American collegiate representatives for the team.
“I was privileged enough to serve on the GCAA committee when the Arnold Palmer Cup was put in place,” head coach Bruce Brockbank said. “Anything that has Arnold Palmer's name attached to it is special. This is the premiere US-international competition, so to be selected on that team, you have to be one of the best college golfers in the country. That is Kihei. I’m super proud of him and the golfer he has become. He will do great representing our country and BYU. I hope he continues his hot stretch that he has been having.””
“I’m so excited for Kihei to compete in the Palmer Cup and get the opportunity to play golf in Ireland,” director of golf Todd Miller said. “Tralee is a phenomenal links course. I have no doubt he will fall in love with the style of golf in Ireland. Kihei has done an incredible job representing his family, his faith and Brigham Young University this season. I know he will do the same as he represents the USA.”
The international team went through a similar process to complete its 12-man roster, typically with those currently on U.S. collegiate teams. The two squads will battle in the Ryder Cup-style event, the 30th staging of it, at Tralee Golf Club in County Kerry, Ireland on July 3-5. The U.S. holds a 15-13-1 record in the all-time series.
Established in partnership with and named after the late legendary Arnold Palmer, the invitational dates back to 1997, when eight U.S. golfers squared off against a team of eight golfers from Great Britain or Ireland at Bay Hill Club & Lounge in Orlando. Teams have continued to expand over the years, including when the international team was able to include members from any country outside of the U.S. by 2018. Also implemented in that same year and since then, the men’s and women’s teams will compete side-by-side in a co-ed battle.
Akina joined Peter Kuest (2019), Clay Ogden (2006) and Andy Miller (2000) as one of four BYU golfers named into the Arnold Palmer Cup, all of whom represented the U.S. Akina was the only American freshman selected, the first freshman in program history to play in this prestigious tournament, and one of 26 freshmen ever to be selected for team USA.
PGA Tour standouts that have participated in the AP Cup include Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Rickie Fowler, Russell Henley, Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, Webb Simpson, Ben Curtis, Ludvig Aberg, Thomas Detry, Harry Hall, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, Francesco Molinari, Sam Burns and Brian Harman.
2026 USA Arnold Palmer Cup Men's Team (*coach's pick)
| Name | Class | School |
| Kihei Akina | Freshman | BYU |
| Ryder Cowan | Junior | Oklahoma |
| Wheaton Ennis | Sophomore | Texas A&M |
| Josiah Gilbert | Junior | Auburn |
| William Jennings | Sophomore | Alabama |
| Jonathan McEwen | Junior | Washington and Lee |
| Jacob Modleski | Junior | Notre Dame |
| Cayden Pope | Junior | Auburn |
| Jack Turner | Junior | Florida |
| Willy Walsh | Junior | Pepperdine |
| Connor Williams | Junior | Arizona State |
| Max Herendeen* | Junior* | Illinois* |
Head Coach: Trey Jones, Florida State
Assistant Coaches: Bowen Sargent, Virginia; Thomas Sutton, Arizona State
2026 International Arnold Palmer Cup Men's Team (*coach's pick)
| Name (country) | Class | School |
| Nguyen Anh Minh (Vietnam) | Freshman | Oregon State |
| Daniel Bennett (South Africa) | Sophomore | Texas |
| George Cannon (Scotland) | Senior | Stirling |
| Connor Graham (Scotland) | Sophomore | Texas Tech |
| Malan Potgieter (South Africa) | Senior | Louisiana |
| Luke Poulter (England) | Junior | Florida |
| Niall Sheils Donegan (Scotland) | Junior | UNC |
| Árni Sveinsson (Iceland) | Sophomore | LSU |
| Zack Swanwick (New Zealand) | Sophomore | Florida |
| Harry Takis (Australia) | Sophomore | San Diego State |
| Tim Wiedemeyer (Germany) | Junior | Texas Tech |
| Jack Buchanan (South Africa)* | Sophomore* | USC* |
Head Coach: Brennan Webb, Tennessee
Assistant Coaches: Matt Walton, Arizona; Jake Amos, LSU