March 6, 2025
Money Moves
On Friday, Luke Clanton made history as the second player to secure his PGA TOUR card through PGA TOUR University Accelerated. Clanton clinched his final point of the 20 points needed by making the cut at last week's Cognizant Classic, where he competed on a sponsor exemption. The Florida State junior has now staked his claim in a realm where even some of the biggest names in college sports are unfamiliar: landing a guaranteed spot in the big leagues.
A week before the tournament, Clanton announced his new partnership with Nike, joining an elite circle of athletes who have signed NIL deals with the sportswear icon. Some of those names include Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, UConn's Paige Bueckers, as well as former college stars Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, and Rachel Heck, who made headlines as Nike’s first NIL athlete.
With a $2.57 million valuation, the Florida State junior ranks No. 1 in our College Men's Rankings and second in the Golf NIL Top 10.
Golf NIL College Men’s No. 3 Jackson Koivun hopes to repeat what Clanton did last week. On sponsor invite at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Auburn sophomore is just two points away from earning a place on the PGA TOUR’s roster. Making it to the weekend would put Koivun one point closer. A top 10 finish would seal the deal. Either way, the world amateur No. 2 is flirting with a $1 million valuation and adding to the news cycle with all eyes watching.
John Daly II recently picked up camera time alongside his father, John Daly, who he teamed up with in a 2v2 against Phil Mickelson and YouTuber Grant Horvat. The one-hour video, which has been promoted to an audience of over 4.5 million followers through the players’ social channels, has already received over 1.4 million views. With 66,000 likes, it has quickly become one of the most popular videos among the 250-plus on the channel.
It’s good visibility for the Arkansas junior, who ranks No. 8 in the Golf NIL Top 10, and equally good for the brands he wore—Nike, JLab, the Razorbacks, and his dad’s label, the Lion’s Den.
Christiaan Maas finished T4 in the 156-player field at the DP World Tour's Investec South African Open Championship. The Texas junior and Golf RSA National Squad member claimed the Freddie Tait Cup as the low amateur for the second time. Moving up two spots, Maas now sits 14th in the Golf NIL College Men's Rankings.
Major Moves
San Diego State’s Justin Hastings moves up four spots to No. 20 in the Golf NIL College Men’s Rankings. The senior from Grand Cayman is making a name for himself on the professional stage. Two weeks ago, the 2025 Latin America Amateur Champion finished T13 at the PGA TOUR’s Mexico Open. This week, the world amateur No. 23 is back after it at the Puerto Rico Open.
