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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The Illinois men’s golf team enters the 2026 Big Ten Tournament as the leading contender, aiming to reclaim their dominant position in the conference as they head to North Plains, Oregon, for the start of postseason action.
The Illini ruled the Big Ten with eight consecutive championships from 2015 to 2023, excluding the 2020 season, which was canceled due to COVID-19. However, they finished as runners-up in both 2024 and 2025, with their most recent setback occurring in 2025 when UCLA managed an impressive comeback, erasing an eight-stroke deficit to claim victory.
The 2025-26 season for Illinois has been marked by notable achievements, particularly their triumph at the Duck Invitational in Oregon this March. Junior Max Herendeen shone brightly, clinching the individual title in that tournament. This win was a significant boost for Herendeen, who has experienced a season full of ups and downs. Known as the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and a unanimous choice for the 2025 All-Big Ten First Team, he has faced challenges this year.
At his peak, Herendeen is arguably the best player on the Illinois roster. However, when off his game, he has struggled to contribute effectively to the team’s overall score.
Now, as Herendeen, originally from Washington, returns to the Pacific Northwest, he hopes to tap into the same winning spirit that propelled him to success during his previous visit to Oregon.
“I just know who I am as a person,” he said. “I know my good golf is really good. It’s just trying to get that bad golf a little bit better. I don’t want that standard to ever slip, trying to hit my standard every day and do the right things. And I know I’m not far off and I know I can help this team and I know I will help this team in the postseason.”
Depth is a strength of this year’s Illini squad, with four players having earned Big Ten Golfer of the Week at some point on the year.
“It’s been a good year and the guys understand that,” head coach Mike Small said. “But can we be better? Yes, we can. So for them to go in, we just want to go in and continue to hit our standard and treat it like any other event. But know in the back of your mind, this is what people remember. This is your legacy. And so I hope there’s a little extra impetus behind it, but you can’t put that too much pressure on yourself that it changes your outlook and change your purpose.”
Conference championship action is scheduled for three rounds May 1-3.