University of Tennessee Athletics
Webb Announces Signings of Badgett and Watts to Vol Golf's 2026 Class
November 12, 2025 | Men's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee men's golf head coach Brennan Webb announced the signings of Pennson Badgett and Tyler Watts in the 2026 class Wednesday.Â
The two-man signing class is ranked third overall by collegegolfcommits.com as Watts is rated as the outlet's No. 1 overall prospect while Badgett sits at No. 6 on the list.Â
Tyler Watts | Huntsville, AlabamaÂ
Ranked as the No. 1 2026 junior golfer in the world according to the World Amateur Golf Rankings and consistently at the top of the junior leaderboards, Tyler Watts is making his mark on the game at an impressive pace. Watts' recent successes have included a No. 2 ranking in the class of 2026 according to Junior Golf Scoreboard and TUGR. Additionally, the Huntsville, Alabama, native was the 2025 Elite Amateur Series Champion, which included a first-place showing at the 2025 Sunnehanna Amateur Championship. Watts also earned runner-up honors at the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and was a member of the 2024 Junior Presidents Cup Team. Additionally, in his PGA TOUR debut, Watts made the cut at the 2025 Procore Championship with a 3-under total.
Pennson Badgett | Pilot Mountain, North Carolina
Pennson Badgett has quickly risen through the ranks as one of the top junior golfers in the United States. Currently ranked No. 6 in TUGR junior golf rankings and eighth on Junior Golf Scoreboard, Badgett's impressive performances on the junior circuit have earned him an impressive resume. The Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, native was the winner of the AJGA Polo Championship and two additional AJGA Championships. He also holds multiple top-five finishes at premier junior events, including the Boys' Junior PGA Championship, Scott Robertson Memorial and Wyndham AJGA Championship. Along with his fellow signee Watts, Badgett was also a member of the 2024 Junior Presidents Cup Team.
