Crimson Red Sports

Alabama freshman Justin Thomas was named the 2012 Jack Nicklaus Award recipient for Division-I men's golf the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Sunday morning.

Thomas, the Division-I Nicklaus Award recipient, was previously honored with the Phil Mickelson Award presented by the Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation as the nation's outstanding freshman and was named a PING First-Team All-America selection.

A native of Goshen, Ky., Thomas got off to a quick start in his college career, claiming his first tour-nament the Carpet Capital Collegiate. He would go on to win three more times - the Puerto Rico Classic, SEC Me's Golf Championship and NCAA Southeast Regional. Thomas finished tied for seventh at the NCAA Championships and collected four other top 10 finishes. He only finished outside of the top 20 twice and was also named the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year.