Akina named to 2026 USA Walker Cup team

BYU men’s golfer Kihei Akina became the sixth Cougar golfer to be named to a Walker Cup team and the first Cougar selected in 35 years.

Author Zach Halliday
Kihei Akina lines up a shot in team USA gear.Kihei Akina lines up a shot in team USA gear.
USGA

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. — BYU men’s golfer Kihei Akina was named to the 2026 USA Walker Cup team on Sunday.

Akina was one of six golfers named to the team on Sunday, completing the 10-player U.S. roster. The Walker Cup is considered one of the premier events in men’s amateur golf, with past participants including Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus and Scottie Scheffler.

“Making the Walker Cup team is one of the highest honors in amateur golf,” Akina said. “It means a lot to make the team, and I can’t wait to compete in Ireland alongside some great golfers.”

The rising sophomore is No. 11 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and delivered a standout freshman season to begin his college career. He finished in the top 25 in 13 of 14 events last season, including 11 top-10 finishes, seven top-five finishes and two victories. After a runner-up finish at the Big 12 Championship, the Utah native tied for eighth at the NCAA Championship.

He capped his freshman campaign with PING All-America First Team honors and the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award.

“This has been an incredible year for Kihei and for our golf program,” BYU men’s golf head coach Todd Miller said. “His selection to compete on the Walker Cup team is one of the greatest honors he can receive as an amateur golfer.”

Akina has competed in four PGA Tour events, while also making three Korn Ferry Tour starts. His best professional finish came at the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open in March, where he tied for 16th.

Akina also competed in the 30th Arnold Palmer Cup, as the only freshman in BYU history to do so, and advanced to the Round of 64 at the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship.

Six BYU golfers have been selected to a Walker Cup team in the event’s history. Akina is the first Cougar selected since Mitch Voges in 1991.

“The committee is very thorough in their selection process,” Miller said. “Kihei has proved that he is one of the most elite players in the world and that his character matches his playing ability.”

Along with Akina, Ryder Cowan, Josiah Gilbert, William Jennings, Stewart Hagestad and Jay Leng Jr. were named to the team Sunday. Ethan Fang, Miles Russell, Preston Stout and Tyler Watts were previously named to the team.

The Walker Cup will be held Sept. 5-6 at Lahinch Golf Club in Lahinch, Republic of Ireland.