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    •  September 1, 2017

    College golfers: The best pros to come out of the SEC

    September 1, 2017
    Corey Adams
    Contributor
    Corey Adams
    corey_adams

    College football season is underway across the country, and to those in the south like myself, it’s a religion. There’s no argument that fans of Southeastern Conference football are the most passionate group in the sport, including this list of golfers who attended schools in the region.

    Here is a comprehensive list of the best active golfers who called SEC programs home.

    Alabama: Justin Thomas

    With the 2 week off season over, glad to show the results from really hitting it hard in the gym. Should be driving all holes under 450 yards now 😂😂 #gainz #swollmonkey

    A post shared by Justin Thomas (@justinthomas34) on

    We begin with the 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas, who as you can see, is a diehard fan of the Crimson Tide.

    JT has enjoyed a breakthrough season this year on the PGA Tour, currently with three wins that include his first career major championship. He’s in the discussion for Player of the Year, and with a strong finish to the FedEx Cup playoffs, can become the frontrunner.

    His Alabama football team is pretty good, too. Roll Tide, Y’all.

    Arkansas: John Daly

    "Save The Date" April 28, 2016 –Senior Tour, Here I Come…. #GolfLife

    A post shared by pga_johndaly (@pga_johndaly) on

    I mean, who else?

    John Daly is a golf legend – a player who appeals to southern fans. The pants, the drinking, the “I don’t give a sh*t” attitude.

    On the course, he’s won five times on the PGA Tour, two of those victories – 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open – are majors. There’s no question he’s the best golfer to come out of Arkansas.

    Auburn: Jason Dufner

    Visit a PGA Tour event and you’ll quickly learn Jason Dufner’s alma mater. The gallery will let you know with chants of “War Eagle!” as he tees off.

    Five wins on tour for Dufner, highlighted by his 2013 PGA Championship victory.

    Florida: Billy Horschel

    Billy Horschel is a character on the golf course, always carrying on conversations. He also has the attire to support his personality which is as bright as the orange and blue colors which represent his school.

    The former Gator is a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, with his greatest accomplishment occurring in 2014 when he won the FedEx Cup.

    Georgia: Bubba Watson

    I'll be sporting these this Saturday! @stancesocks #GoDawgs #UGA #TheUncommonThread

    A post shared by Bubba Watson (@bubbawatson) on

    The Dawgs have produced many PGA Tour professionals, such as Kevin Kisner, Brian Harman, Russell Henley, Hudson Swafford, Chris Kirk, Harris English and I’m sure I’m missing someone.

    But the highly criticized Bubba Watson is the cream of the crop. Winning the Masters twice can do that.

    Kentucky: J.B. Holmes

    J.B. Holmes’ post above describes the state of Kentucky perfectly.

    The former Kentucky Wildcat is easily the best current player from the college. He’s finished top five in major championships and has seven professional wins.

    LSU: David Toms

    Love Smylie Kaufman, but this is David Toms’ honor.

    Thirteen wins on the PGA Tour for the 2001 PGA Champion. His roots still run deep at LSU, and his son Carter is currently enrolled there on the golf team.

    Mississippi State: Alexandre Rocha

    Alexandre Rocha’s career didn’t quite pan out on the PGA Tour, but was an outstanding amateur player.

    His resume includes five amateur wins and 10 on the professional level, including once on the Canadian Tour. The Brazilian is now on the Web.com Tour where he ranks 91st on the money list.

    Missouri: Stan Utley

    Mizzou isn’t exactly known for its golf program, so I had to choose someone who technically doesn’t play competitively anymore.

    Stan Utley is now a golf coach who teaches short game methods, but in his playing career he won seven professional events with one PGA Tour victory (1988 Chattanooga Classic).

    Ole Miss: Jonathan Randolph

    Ole Miss is a program on the rise in collegiate golf, but their top professional product is Jonathan Randolph.

    Randolph was an All-American at Mississippi and has since won four times as a pro.

    South Carolina: Wesley Bryan

    Wesley Bryan has emerged as a talented newcomer on the PGA Tour, capturing his first win earlier this year at the RBC Heritage.

    Bryan won two events while at South Carolina and then earned headlines for making trick shot videos.

    Tennessee: David Skinns

    Vol for life David Skinns is active on the Web.com Tour trying to earn his PGA Tour card, but previously earned three professional wins.

    Skinns was a psychology major at Tennessee, making the trek over from England, and is known as UT’s best golfer.

    Texas A&M: Jeff Maggert

    Jeff Maggert continues to tee it up on the PGA Champions Tour, and in his prime was a golfer who challenged for all four majors with top five finishes in each.

    Overall, he owns eight professional wins (three on PGA Tour) to just edge out Ryan Palmer as the top golfer who attended Texas A&M.

    Vanderbilt: Brandt Snedeker

    Born and raised in Nashville, Brandt Snedeker stayed close to home and attended Vanderbilt out of high school.

    He’s been so close to winning both the Masters and British Open, but you can’t discredit his eight PGA Tour wins. In 2012, Sneds had his best showing on tour, winning the FedEx Cup trophy.

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