The 2026 PLL Golden Stick Award, given to the player with the most scoring points in the Lexus Championship Series, is shaping up to be highly competitive. Past recipients have showcased distinct playing styles: Romar Dennis dominated in 2023 with his record-setting 15 two-point goals, Kieran McArdle claimed the title in 2024 through a balanced mix of one- and two-point goals and a shot accuracy above 50%, while Matt Campbell led last year with a strong performance inside the two-point arc.
With McArdle and Campbell’s teams not qualifying for the 2026 tournament, speculation is growing on whether Dennis can reclaim the award or if a new standout will emerge among the contenders.
Romar Dennis and His Shooting Prowess
Romar Dennis remains a fearsome presence when it comes to generating shots, primarily through his ability to shoot accurately from behind the 13-yard two-point line with either hand, whether set or on the move. In 2023, Dennis led the Lexus Championship Series with 46 shots, 80.4% of which came from the two-point range, helping him clinch the inaugural Golden Stick Award.
However, Dennis’s 2024 performance saw a decline, registering only 12 points on slightly fewer shots with a drop in shooting percentage from 41.3% to 20.6%. This decrease was influenced by stress fractures in his vertebrae, sustained after his heavy shooting workload in 2023. For 2026, Dennis’s ability to stay healthy and maintain shooting efficiency will be critical factors in his quest to regain the title.
Jack Molloy’s Versatile Impact on the Field
Dennis’s teammate, Jack Molloy, is another formidable contender, standing out through a balanced playing style. During the 2023 Championship Series, Molloy secured 17 scoring points, ranking fourth overall, by combining effective dodging and shooting both inside and outside the two-point arc. His physicality allows him to maneuver past defenders with a short stick, and he scored five two-point goals last year.
While sharing offensive opportunities with Dennis may limit Molloy’s shot attempts, his strength in dodging inside the two-point arc, similar to last year’s winner Campbell, gives him a solid chance to be among the top scorers in this year’s tournament.
Chase Costabile’s Balanced Scoring Role
Chase Costabile earned a spot as the runner-up for the Golden Stick Award in 2023 with 28 scoring points, split almost evenly between 10 one-point goals and nine two-point goals. In 2025, he placed third behind Matt Campbell and Asher Nolting, narrowly missing out on the award. Costabile’s aggressive downhill dodging combined with a powerful right-handed outside shot makes him a threat from all areas of the field.
Entering 2026, Costabile aims to leverage his scoring versatility and potentially claim the Golden Stick Award this year.
Carolina’s Matt Eicher: The Silent Scorer
Carolina’s leading scorer from last summer, Matt Eicher, presents a strong case for winning the Golden Stick Award. Known for his reliable shots from the righty wing, Eicher benefits from teammates Ross Scott and Shane Knobloch, who draw defensive attention and create space for his offensive opportunities. His six unassisted goals last season outpaced several high-profile scorers, indicating his capability to independently generate scoring chances.
Denver’s Jeremy Bundy and His Deep Shooting Potential
Although Denver’s top goal scorers from 2025 are not participating in this Championship Series, Jeremy Bundy is poised to lead the Outlaws in points. Since joining the PLL in 2024, Bundy has demonstrated elite two-point shooting, finishing second in the league for two-pointers as a rookie with six goals beyond the 13-yard line. Despite a dip in 2025, his powerful right-handed shot, often exceeding 100 miles per hour, keeps him among the league’s best deep shooters.
Bundy’s main challenge in the 2026 Championship Series is adapting his style to Sixes, as this will be his first experience with the format. Whether he can quickly adjust and replicate his impact in this setting remains uncertain.
Anticipated Outcomes and Implications for the 2026 Tournament
The absence of previous winners Kieran McArdle and Matt Campbell opens the field for fresh contenders to claim the 2026 PLL Golden Stick Award. Romar Dennis’s attempt to regain his former dominance depends heavily on overcoming his injury questions. Meanwhile, players such as Jack Molloy and Chase Costabile offer a balanced offensive arsenal that could tip the scales in their favor.
Matt Eicher and Jeremy Bundy add variety to the competition with their unique skill sets, promising an exciting and closely contested tournament. The Golden Stick Award not only highlights individual scoring prowess but also serves as a benchmark for player impact within the Lexus Championship Series.
As the tournament unfolds, tracking these five candidates will provide insight into evolving offensive strategies and the overall pace of the 2026 Championship Series.
“In the 2023 Championship Series, he led the event in shots with 46 (80.4% of which were from two) en route to winning the inaugural Golden Stick Award.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
“After the 2023 Championship Series, Dennis had stress fractures in his vertebrae from the amount of shooting he did in the tournament.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
“Molloy, who ranked fourth at the 2023 Championship Series with 17 scoring points, had a more balanced tournament with his ability to do a little bit of everything.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
“Costabile was an all-around points machine in 2023. Finishing as the Golden Stick Award runner-up, Costabile had 28 scoring points on a balanced stat line of 10 one-pointers and nine two-pointers.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
“With crafty creators Ross Scott and Shane Knobloch sure to draw a ton of attention throughout the tournament, Eicher could be the beneficiary of that attention with ample space to hammer shots.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
“Only teammate Brennan O’Neill has more goals from beyond 13 yards since Bundy entered the PLL in 2024.” ?Adam Lamberti, Writer
