Golf NIL Valuation Rankings: Week 19 Movement

May 10, 2025

Money Moves

College golf’s fast track just delivered its next two stars. Florida State’s Luke Clanton and Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent are headed to the PGA TOUR, set to debut at the RBC Canadian Open on June 5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.

Clanton starts his pro career with Nike already in his corner, joining a stable that includes Sargent, ranked 19th in the world, who is also a Titleist ambassador. But their transition isn’t just about bringing along big-name sponsors—it’s about the rare advantage both have seized. Thanks to multiple TOUR starts as amateurs—Clanton with 13, including two runner-up finishes, and Sargent with several, highlighted by a low amateur finish at the 2023 U.S. Open—they’ve already measured themselves against the best and seen what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The exposure has turned both into golf household names and cemented their status as two of the game's most valued amateurs. McCormack Medals in hand (Sargent in 2023, Clanton in 2024), they join a short list of standouts who have been recognized as the best in the world. Sargent’s run: winning an NCAA title and becoming the first underclassman to lock up TOUR status through PGA TOUR University Accelerated, a path that didn’t exist a few years ago. Clanton, a 2025 Ben Hogan Award finalist, is arguably the most prolific college amateur in PGA TOUR history, with more professional starts than any collegiate peer. Both enter the pro ranks with major endorsements and national recognition most rookies can only dream of.

Golf stands alone. Unlike most major sports, the game guarantees a direct, merit-based path from college ranks straight to the pros. The LPGA’s new LEAP pathway does the same for women. For Clanton and Sargent, Accelerated hasn’t just opened doors—it’s delivered a platform, a following, and a head start in the spotlight.

Gordon Sargent at the 2023 Walker Cup at St Andrews | Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy

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With the postseason in full swing, Mirabel Ting, Maria José Marin, and Anna Davis are three names rising above the noise.

As the 2025 ACC Golfer of the Year, Ting led Florida State to its first ACC Championship, captured five individual titles, and never finished below sixth place in any tournament this season. José Marin, named 2025 SEC Player of the Year, finished runner-up at the NCAA Columbus Regional, leading Arkansas to the NCAA Championships. Davis, 2022 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, recently broke Auburn’s 54-hole scoring record and advanced to the NCAA finals as an individual qualifier.

Each played in this year's Augusta National Women’s Amateur, an event that sets the NIL pace—while Ting and José Marin land on the 2025 ANNIKA Award finalist shortlist. All three are in the top 10 in the Golf NIL College Women’s Rankings and move one spot this week.

Mirabel Ting at the 2024 Maybank Championship | ZUMA Press/Alamy

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Welcome to the Boards

Asher Vargas joins the Golf NIL High School Boys Rankings Watchlist as a player who’s changing the conversation in Texas high school golf. With a recent 6A boys state title, he's No. 5 in the AJGA rankings, built on a wire-to-wire 2024 Wyndham Invitational win and runner-up at the Junior PGA Championship. October brought another nod: Southern Texas PGA Junior Golfer of the Year. North Carolina has his commitment—the rest of junior golf has its measuring stick.