NORMAN, Okla. - Leandro Mihaich of Oklahoma Christian men's golf was named the recipient of the inaugural NCAA Division II Gary Player International Golfer of the Year Award, the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with FlightScope announced Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The award is given to five outstanding collegiate golfers from outside the United States, one each for NCAA Division I, II and III, as well as NAIA and NJCAA.

"FlightScope is honored to partner with the GCAA and the legendary Gary Player as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Gary Player International Golfer of the Year Award," said Henri Johnson, who founded FlightScope in South Africa in 1989. "This collaboration aligns perfectly with our commitment to nurturing golf talent worldwide. We congratulate all the recipients of this prestigious award and look forward to seeing what they can achieve on a global stage."

The award's inaugural honor comes after Mihaich was named the 2024 Division II Jack Nicklaus Award, offered to the best male golfer in NCAA DII. The former PING Second Team All-American at Oklahoma City University (NAIA) came to OC ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, where he won the Lone Star Conference individual championship after being named the LSC Men's Golf Newcomer of the Year.

After his run at conference, the Bell Ville, Argentina, native finished second at the South Central/West Regional and won both of his matches in the 2024 NCAA Division II Championship Medal Match Play, leading the Eagles to their third consecutive National Semifinals.

With nine Top-10 finishes and seven Top-5 finishes, the sophomore standout earned First Team All-LSC, PING All-Region and PING First Team All-American honors. Mihaich finished tied-for-first in Final Qualifying at Brook Haven Golf Course in July to qualify for this week's U.S. Amateur Championship, where he is currently tied for sixth in the 312-player field following the first two rounds of stroke play at 6-under 136.

Becoming the first Oklahoma Christian golfer, male or female, to qualify for Match Play at the U.S. Amateur Championships, Mihaich will tee off from Hazeltine National Golf Club at 12:10 p.m. CT in the Round of 64 Wednesday, Aug. 14. Coverage of Match Play can be seen live on the Golf Channel and simulcast on Peacock from 10:30-1:30 p.m. CT and re-aired from 5-7 p.m. Live scoring for the tournament can be found at usga.org.