SALT LAKE CITY – Gabriel Palacios and Braxton Watts have been named PING NCAA Division I All-America honorable mentions after leading Utah Golf to the NCAA Regional round for the fourth time in five seasons.
Palacios was a standout for the Utes in the 2024-25 season earning the first two individual crowns of his career at the John Burns Intercollegiate and The Goodwin that had him climbing the national rankings from No. 142 to No. 37.
On top of taking the first two individual titles of his career, Palacios has three top three finishes in 2025 while setting a new program single season low stroke average of 70.2.
Palacios finished 2025 ranked No. 49 in the country with two Big 12 Golfer of the Month awards, a place on the All-Big 12 Golf Team, and an invite to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Watts ended his final season with Utah securing the Bremerton Regional crown and advancing as an individual player in the NCAA Tournament, making him the first Ute to win an NCAA Regional. Additionally, this was the senior golfer’s third trip to the NCAA Tournament dating back to his freshman year in 2021-22.
Before heading to the post season, Watts posted impressive tournament showings at the Desert Mountain Collegiate and Schenkel Invitational to earn two top three finishes in 2025.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Golf program along with tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @UtesGolf | Instagram: @UtesGolf).
Palacios was a standout for the Utes in the 2024-25 season earning the first two individual crowns of his career at the John Burns Intercollegiate and The Goodwin that had him climbing the national rankings from No. 142 to No. 37.
On top of taking the first two individual titles of his career, Palacios has three top three finishes in 2025 while setting a new program single season low stroke average of 70.2.
Palacios finished 2025 ranked No. 49 in the country with two Big 12 Golfer of the Month awards, a place on the All-Big 12 Golf Team, and an invite to play in the Arnold Palmer Cup.
Watts ended his final season with Utah securing the Bremerton Regional crown and advancing as an individual player in the NCAA Tournament, making him the first Ute to win an NCAA Regional. Additionally, this was the senior golfer’s third trip to the NCAA Tournament dating back to his freshman year in 2021-22.
Before heading to the post season, Watts posted impressive tournament showings at the Desert Mountain Collegiate and Schenkel Invitational to earn two top three finishes in 2025.
FOLLOW THE UTES
For an inside look at the Utah Golf program along with tournament, roster and news updates, fans can follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @UtesGolf | Instagram: @UtesGolf).
