U-M Top Record Holder Hunter Thomson Turning Pro at Canadian Open
By Tom Lang
Michigan Wolverine recent grad Hunter Thomson did it last year, then did it again this season – topping his own record.
Thomson, a Calgary, Alberta native, broke the U-M single season scoring average last year, then did it again this season by earning a blistering 69.89 average. No other Wolverine in history has dipped below a 70-stroke-per-round season mark. He told me it was his most rewarding individual accomplishment.
“I set the scoring average last year, and then this year broke it. So, I think being able to do that in back-to-back years, breaking my own record, is extremely special,” he told me, fresh off winning the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional on May 14 (3-day total 10-under par), becoming only the third U-M player to ever win a Regional. This season, Thomson had 23 sub-par scores in 38 rounds – and four times the last two college seasons was medalist.
“It’s the biggest event that I’ve ever won,” he said of the NCAA Regional title. “So, my game’s been trending in a good direction. All my coaches would agree it’s been a work in progress for many years.
“I’m proud of how I have developed as a player and a person. Being able to manage my emotions really well in high pressure situations, and everything just kind of comes together like a puzzle.”
Thomson opened the fall season in September winning the Canadian Collegiate, which earned his exemption into the RBC Canadian Open, June 3-5 in Tornoto. For most Canadian golfers, there is no finer opportunity than the Canadian Open, and Thomson is no exception.
“Being a Canadian and still a pretty young kid (age 21), it’s a dream come true,” he said. “If you told me a few years ago that I’d play in that, I’d be ecstatic.”
MSU’s Ashton McCoullough played in the Canadian Open last year; Thomson said they know each other and, while not close buddies, are friendly on the golf course or at events.
He said he had heard Ashton was going to Michigan State when they were still in high school.
“And with me going to Michigan, I thought that was kind of funny, when we’re the top 2 ranked Canadian golfers for our class and we both happen to go to the same state,” Thomson said. “All really a coincidence. But honestly, being from the north, being from Canada, the winter just doesn’t bother us much.
“For me, coming to Michigan, this winter is only about half as bad as Calgary. It’s really an upgrade,” he said with a chuckle, but added that becoming a Wolverine “was the best decision of my life. So, I’m thankful for that. It’s been a great fit for me.”
Thomson is a two-time All-Big Ten first teamer, two-time Academic All-Big Ten and earned eight Big Ten Golfer of the Week awards. Thomson shot college season-low rounds of 66 three times; twice at the Canadian Collegiate, and in the second round at the Boilermaker Invitational at Purdue, which he also won, just prior to the recent Big Ten Championship. There, he didn’t fair as well, finishing 32nd – but of course bounced back to next win the NCAA Regional. Thomson said that he has not had his best results following a big win.
“Golf is just super interesting … it’s funny in that you can play 100 rounds, and play pretty similar in all of them. But one round you’re going to play 3-to-4 shots better than all the others, and one you’ll score 3-to-4 shots worse. I just think that’s how it goes and makes golf a super funny game,” Thomson said.
“But the biggest thing is not letting it bother you; not letting it get to you. I just know I have a really strong mind and that I’ll figure it out. I even showed up at Regionals and I didn’t feel too amazing about my game (after Big Tens), but I honestly think that helped. It helped me be a little sharper and I knew I had to go out there and work for it. It was an awesome week though; life changing.”
The biggest life change so far, however, for Thomson will come at the first tee of his country’s national championship.
“My first PGA Tour event, the Canadian Open, (and playing) as a professional, is just so special.”
