James McLean - M Club Hall of Fame - University of Minnesota Athletics

Upcoming Events

Schedule

Sep 7

Men's Golf

vs 2nd Swing Gopher Invitational

Sep 8

Men's Golf

vs 2nd Swing Gopher Invitational

Sep 8

Women's Golf

vs ANNIKA Intercollegiate

James McLean
Golf, 1998-2000
HOF Class of 2018

While only a select few golfers will ever know what it's like to win an individual NCAA title, McLean knew that feeling after just one season with the Gophers. The conference's Freshman of the Year became the program's second-ever individual national champion – its first in 54 years – when he claimed the crown in 1998. To this day, the Australian holds the program's record for career scoring average (71.49), a mark that has been virtually unchallenged, with the next best sitting a full stroke higher. He also holds the two lowest season scoring averages in school history, the two years in which he earned All-America honors. McLean helped lead the Gophers to the NCAA Finals three times before turning pro, where he went on to play on the PGA Tour from 2002-05.