As the Alabama men’s golf team rolls through its season, a large part of the team’s success can be attributed to the play of junior Cory Whitsett.

Whitsett began the season ranked No. 8 in Golfweek’s preseason top 10, and he has only improved from there, ranked No.3 in the nation as of April 7th. His 70.96 average leads the team and is seventh in the country.

Whitsett began the season with a third-place finish at the Puerto Rico Classic, which helped the team to a victory at that event. He then tied for the individual title at the Tide’s second-place finish at the Southern Highlands Masters. His first-place finishes at the Linger Longer Invitational and Aggie Invitational led the Tide to victories in those tournaments. He now has five career victories, tied for second most in school history.

“I’ve tried to play with a lot more self-belief this year. I’ve hit some bad shots and been in some difficult situations, but I’ve just completely trusted myself and gotten out of it that way,” Whitsett said.

Whitsett, a native of Houston, Texas, came to Alabama as one of the most accomplished recruits in school history. In 2007 he became one of only five fifteen-year old players to win the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, participating in the first of three U.S. Amateur Championships the same year. In 2010, he was selected as the National High School Senior Athlete of the Year for men’s golf after tying for the state title. Head coach Jay Seawell said he was happy about his decision to recruit Whitsett to Alabama.

“We knew that he was a great player, and that part hasn’t disappointed. But the best part is he’s a great young man,” Seawell said. “On and off the golf course, he’s a class act. He’s a hard worker who takes pride in all he does and being a part of Alabama.”

He made an immediate impact upon arriving at Alabama, finishing with a 71.39 scoring average, second on the team and an Alabama rookie record (since broken by Justin Thomas). Four top-five finishes, including his first of three victories at the Linger Longer Invitational, led to him being named to the All-Mickelson Team honoring the country’s best freshmen, as well as Golfweek’s All-Freshman Team and a consensus second-team All-American.

Whitsett turned in another outstanding season as a sophomore last year, finishing the season ranked No. 13 overall, with wins at the Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic and Linger Longer Invitational. He was named a consensus second-team All-American, first-team All-SEC, and SEC Academic Honor Roll, along with the NCAA Elite 89 Award, which is given to the student-athlete at the NCAA Championships with the highest GPA. His efforts helped bring the Tide an SEC championship, but the team fell short at the NCAA Championships, losing to Texas in the finals. Whitsett said he looks forward to having another chance to compete for the championship this season.

“I want to win a National Championship with the team. We came so close last year, and really got a taste of what it would be like. To not get [the championship] is one of the worst feelings I’ve ever had,” Whitsett said.

Whitsett and the Tide will be back in action at the SEC Championships on April 19th.