Field announced for 11th-annual Collegiate Showcase on February 10, with medalist earning an exemption into the 2025 Barracuda Championship
The Genesis Invitational announced today that Xavier Bighaus of Colorado Christian University has been named the 2025 Pathway Player into the tournament’s Collegiate Showcase.
Bighaus will compete alongside a field of top collegiate golfers during the 11th-annual Collegiate Showcase on Monday, February 10 at Torrey Pines GC (South Course). The winner of the 2025 Collegiate Showcase will earn an exemption into the PGA TOUR’s Barracuda Championship, held July 17-20 at Tahoe Mountain Club in Truckee, California.
Continuing to build upon The Genesis Invitational’s history of inclusion, the Pathway Player invitation is awarded annually to a collegiate golfer with a minority background who excels on the golf course and academically.
“The Genesis Invitational is proud to present the 2025 Pathway Player invitation to Xavier Bighaus,” Tournament Director Mike Antolini said. “Competing in the Collegiate Showcase is a great honor, and we hope this experience helps Xavier continue on his path to a professional golf career.”
Originally from Melissa, Texas, Bighaus is a senior on the Colorado Christian University men’s golf team. His collegiate career has been marked by standout performances, including a dominant victory during his sophomore season at the RMAC Championships, where he fired a second-round 65 to claim the individual title. Bighaus’ junior year was a historic one, as he played a key role in leading Colorado Christian to its first-ever NCAA national championship, as the Cougars defeated North Georgia 3-2 in the Division II title match. The championship was not only a milestone for the men’s golf program but also the first national title in Colorado Christian athletics history. His success in 2024 continued as Bighaus was selected as a DII PING All-American Honorable Mention and earned his fifth career win at the 2024 Southwest Airlines Showcase at Cedar Crest (Cedar Crest GC in Dallas), where he set the course record with a remarkable closing round of 8-under-par 63 and an overall score of 11-under 202.
“It is a true honor to be able to represent my university in the Collegiate Showcase,” Bighaus said. “I am extremely excited to have an opportunity to compete in an event with such a prestigious exemption on the line. I hope that my participation will help inspire more kids who look like me to compete at the highest levels of our sport.”
Bighaus and Colorado Christian University will join a diverse and experienced field of collegiate golfers and programs from around the country taking part in the 2025 Collegiate Showcase, including 2024 Showcase winner Cole Rueck (Boise State University). After winning the 2024 Showcase, Rueck made his PGA TOUR debut at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open. The 2025 field includes:
| School | Collegiate Player* |
| Boise State University | Gavyn Knight, Cole Rueck^ |
| Colorado Christian University | Xavier Bighaus, Sangha Park |
| Columbia University | Grant Lester |
| University of Southern California | Gavin Aurilia |
| University of WashingtonUniversity of WyomingWake Forest UniversityYale University | Finn Koelle, Drew WarfordJaren CalkinsScotty Kennon, Marshall MeiselRobert You |
| *Players subject to change ½ ^defending champion |
Marking the 11th anniversary of the Collegiate Showcase, 12 teams consisting of one collegiate player and three amateurs are set to kick off tournament week for The Genesis Invitational. This year, the winning collegiate golfer will receive the opportunity to compete in the 2025 Barracuda Championship. The Collegiate Showcase also features an amateur competition, with teams comprised of three amateurs competing against each other in better-ball play. The winning team will earn a $50,000 donation to the school’s golf program.
Previous Collegiate Showcase winners include Cole Rueck (2024, Boise State University), Jack Wall (2023, Texas Tech University), Michael Brennan (2022, Wake Forest University), Angus Flanagan (2021, University of Minnesota), Sean Yu (2020, San Jose State University), Lukas Euler (2019, University of Kentucky), Scottie Scheffler (2018, University of Texas), Sahith Theegala (2017, Pepperdine University), Charlie Danielson (2016, University of Illinois) and Will Zalatoris (2015, Wake Forest University).
The Genesis Invitational will be held February 13-16 at Torrey Pines GC (South Course) and broadcast on GOLF Channel and CBS. Tickets to the tournament are currently available at GenesisInvitational.com. For the latest news and information, follow the tournament on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @TheGenesisInv.
