Preston Stout has won the 2026 Mark H McCormack Medal, earning exemptions into next year’s US Open at Pebble Beach and The 155th Open at St Andrews.

The 22-year-old from Richardson, Texas, received the annual award as the leading male player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. The R&A and USGA confirmed his selection in a joint announcement on Wednesday.

“Being named the McCormack Medal winner is a tremendous honour and one I’ll never take for granted,” said Stout. “This recognition reflects not just my own work but the support of everyone who has pushed me to get better along the way. It motivates me to keep raising my own bar and chasing what’s next. I’m grateful to be included among the players who have earned this honour.”

Five wins for Oklahoma State

Stout reached No. 1 in the men’s WAGR after winning five individual titles during his junior season at Oklahoma State University.

His biggest victory came at the NCAA Division I Individual Championship at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. He also won the Big 12 Individual Championship at Prairie Dunes in Kansas, becoming the first player to claim that title three times.

The conference victory made Stout the second Oklahoma State player, after Lindy Miller, the 1977 US Open low amateur and a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, to win three conference titles.

Stout’s season brought a second successive first-team PING All-American selection. He was also named a first-team Golfweek All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year and first-team All-Big 12 selection.

His 2025 results included victory at the Northeast Amateur and a run to the last 16 of the US Amateur at The Olympic Club, where he had earned stroke-play medalist honours.

Professional events strengthen Stout’s ranking

Stout supplemented his collegiate results with five starts in professional events, making two cuts.

His best finish was a tie for 15th at July’s John Deere Classic. After opening with a six-under-par 66, Stout said he had changed his approach following missed cuts at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson and the US Open.

“My first two events, my goal, it was my goal to make the cut and I was always around the cutline,” Stout said before the John Deere Classic. “Going forward, I need to have the same mentality I do when I tee it up for college events. So I believe I can win, and I believe I have the game to do that.”

The US Open at Shinnecock Hills was Stout’s first major championship. He opened with a 72 in blustery conditions before missing the cut.

Stout selected for second Walker Cup

Stout will next represent the United States in the 51st Walker Cup at Lahinch Golf Club on 5 and 6 September. He was among the first four Americans selected, alongside Tyler Watts, Ethan Fang and Miles Russell.

The match against Great Britain and Ireland will be his second successive Walker Cup appearance. At Cypress Point in 2025, Stout went 2-2 as the USA recorded a 17-9 victory; he won both singles matches, among them a 2-and-1 success against Luke Poulter.

The McCormack Medal is jointly awarded each year by The R&A and USGA. It is named after IMG founder and amateur golf supporter Mark H McCormack.

Stout’s award follows Kiara Romero’s second consecutive women’s McCormack Medal. Romero subsequently left the University of Oregon before her senior season to turn professional.

After the Walker Cup, Stout is due to return to Oklahoma State and pursue Miller’s programme record of 11 career victories.