While Kentucky men’s golf’s current roster focuses on the spring season with postseason play approaching, the program’s long-term foundation was shaped by the signing of two class of 2026 standouts back in November.
Kentucky natives Will Judd and Bradford Lacefield were recruited by the Wildcats as the top two ranked players in Kentucky, according to the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
With veteran Jack Schoenberger set to graduate at the end of the season, the Wildcats will look to fill in the role of leadership and development. Luke Coyle, a junior from Campbellsville, Ky will be the lone senior. Coyle had previously played two seasons for Alabama where he started seven times for the Tide.
During his time with Kentucky, Coyle has started all four tournaments that the Wildcats have competed in. He has posted four rounds of par-or-better this season, with his best finish of T-15th at the Visit Knox Collegiate.
In a conference where roster turnover can alter competitive standings, the 2026 class additions add more than just depth- but also continuity.
Headlining Kentucky’s 2026 class is Louisville native Judd, the top-ranked player in the state and No. 74 nationally in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Judd’s junior golf resume includes a runner-up finish at the prestigious HV3 Foundation Junior Championship, along with top 10 finishes at the 2024 Dye Junior Invitational (T7) and the AJGA Justin Thomas Junior Championship (T9).
He also qualified for the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and earned back-to-back Region Six championships in 2024 and 2025 while representing Christian Academy of Louisville.
Joining Judd in the 2026 class is fellow Kentucky standout Lacefield, the state’s No. 2-ranked player and No. 126 nationally in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Lacefield recorded 12 top 10 finishes in AJGA competition during his junior career, highlighted by victories at the 2024 AJGA UHY Baltimore Junior, the 2022 AJGA TaylorMade Preview at Anderson Creek and the 2022 AJGA Junior All-Star at Urbana Championship.
Earlier in his career, he qualified for the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club — a milestone that underscores his long-standing presence in elite junior competition.
With the national level experience, Judd and Lacefield can use their insights of performance on the big stage and translate it into a field of loaded talent.
Seven teams out of the SEC find themselves in the top 10 national rankings per Scoreboard powered by Clippd.
The Wildcats have five more regular season tournaments left before the start of the post-season. Shortly after the team will shift its focus towards the SEC Championship at Sea Island Golf Course in St. Simon’s Island. Ga.
