Jack Buchanan, Nicolas Dominguez and Jaden Dumdumaya of the University of Southern California men’s golf team have been named to the Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch list, as announced by the Big Ten Conference on September 9 in Rosemont, Ill.
The list, selected by Big Ten coaches with a maximum of three players per team, recognizes key contributors. All three Trojans played pivotal roles in USC’s return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years last season.
Dumdumaya made history last season as the first Trojan to be named Big Ten Player of the Year and earned the Les Bolstad Award for the lowest stroke average in the conference. Buchanan received All-Big Ten First Team honors, while Dominguez was a consistent presence in the lineup, usually playing third or fourth.
During the 2025-26 season, Dumdumaya recorded nine top-25 and five top-10 finishes, and twice tied the second-lowest round in USC history with scores of 63 at the Trinity Forest and Valspar Collegiate Invitationals. He has also been named a Golf Channel Preseason All-American ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Buchanan claimed his first career title at the 79th Western Intercollegiate, tying the lowest round in program and course history with a 62. He posted seven top-25 and four top-10 finishes, leading the team in scoring average last season.
Senior Dominguez contributed four top-25 and three top-10 finishes, including a tie for 10th place at the NCAA Winston-Salem Regional, helping USC qualify for the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2019.
CSB Take
The acknowledgment of Buchanan, Dominguez and Dumdumaya as Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch underscores USC’s resurgence in men’s golf after a seven-year absence from the NCAA Championships. Their established track records and leadership provide a strong foundation for the Trojans’ prospects this season. Continuing their development and consistency will be crucial for USC to contend for conference and national honors.
Source: Original report
