Preston Stout, Ethan Fang Earn Return Trips to U.S. Walker Cup Team

Oklahoma State will once again be well represented on one of amateur golf's biggest stages.

Preston Stout and Ethan Fang have earned spots on the 2026 United States Walker Cup Team, giving the Cowboy duo another opportunity to represent their country against Great Britain and Ireland.

This won't be their first time doing it together.

Stout and Fang were both members of the victorious 2025 U.S. Walker Cup Team at Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California. Now, the Oklahoma State teammates are headed overseas for the 51st Walker Cup Match on Sept. 5-6 at Lahinch Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland.

For Stout and Fang, their return wasn't simply a committee decision.

They earned automatic spots through their positions in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Stout is currently the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world, while Fang is the No. 4-ranked amateur overall and third-highest American. The three highest-ranked Americans as of July 8 automatically earned places on the U.S. team.

That's another remarkable accomplishment for an Oklahoma State golf program that continues to produce some of the best amateur players in the world.

Stout's selection comes less than a week after another impressive performance against PGA Tour competition.

The reigning NCAA individual champion finished tied for 15th at the John Deere Classic at 14-under.

He posted four consecutive rounds under par.

Two rounds of 66 becameing the first amateur on the PGA Tour this season to post two rounds of 5-under or better at the same event.

Now, Stout adds another international opportunity to an already remarkable year.

He won the NCAA individual championship in May.

He successfully defended his Big 12 individual title.

He recorded four collegiate victories during the 2025-26 season and he currently sits atop the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Fang's résumé is just as impressive.

The Oklahoma State junior won The Amateur Championship in 2025, becoming the first American in 18 years to win the prestigious event.

That victory earned him opportunities at The Open Championship, the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Fang also competed for the United States at the Walker Cup and World Amateur Team Championship.

Now, Stout and Fang get another chance to represent the U.S. together.

Their experience could be especially valuable at Lahinch.

U.S. captain Nathan Smith specifically pointed to the continuity Stout and Fang provide after already competing in the event.

"Preston and Ethan bring the kind of experience that only comes from having done this before, and that continuity is vital heading into Lahinch," Smith said.

The Walker Cup features a 10-man U.S. team competing against Great Britain and Ireland in amateur golf's version of the Ryder Cup.

This year's event will also mark the first time Lahinch has hosted the competition.

For Oklahoma State fans, seeing Stout and Fang selected together should hardly be surprising anymore.

They've won together in Stillwater.

They've represented the United States together and they were teammates on last year's victorious Walker Cup squad.

Now, two of the best amateur golfers in the world are headed to Ireland.

Preston Stout and Ethan Fang aren't simply representing Oklahoma State.

They're once again representing the United States on one of amateur golf's biggest stages.