Georgia's Carter Loflin Sues NCAA Over 5th-Year Eligibility

Georgia golfer Carter Loflin is suing the NCAA in an effort to secure a fifth season of college eligibility. Loflin filed a temporary restraining order lawsuit in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court on Monday, August 24, according to the Athens Banner-Herald.

Why is Carter Loflin suing the NCAA?

Loflin wants to return to Georgia for a fifth year under the NCAA's newly introduced "5-for-5" eligibility model. The NCAA is allowing golfers who graduated high school between 2018 and 2021, as well as the class of 2023, to use the model for a fifth season, but it is not extending that option to the 2022 high school graduating class, which includes Loflin.

Loflin's attorney, Nik Erramilli, said golfers in the 2018 through 2021 classes received COVID-era waivers that in some cases stretched their eligibility to a sixth year, and argued there is no clear reason the 2022 class was left out of the new model.

What has Loflin accomplished at Georgia?

Loflin won twice for the Bulldogs last season and reached the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur earlier this month. His attorney said an extra season would help "open more doors in the golf world" following that run.