Get to know the 20 golfers who earned their PGA TOUR cards for the 2026 season! From Chandler Blanchet’s back-to-back wins to Johnny Keefer’s record-breaking season, we break down the key stats and stories of each graduate. Plus, learn about their journeys, from college golf to the Korn Ferry Tour and now, the PGA TOUR. Don’t miss out on this inside look at the future stars of the sport!
Picture this, the heartpounding excitement of 20 talented golfers stepping into the spotlight, securing their dreams on the biggest stage of professional golf. The 2025 Cornferryy Tour wrapped up with a bang at the Cornferryy Tour Championship sponsored by United Leasing Finance held at the iconic Pete Die course in French Lick, Indiana. These athletes earned their coveted PGA Tour memberships for 2026, marking a major leap from developmental circuits to the elite level. But here’s where it gets really fascinating. Not all paths to the top were straightforward victories. Let’s dive into the stories of these champions and uncover the grit, strategy, and sheer determination that propelled them upward. For those new to the golf world, the Cornferryy Tour serves as a crucial stepping stone for aspiring professionals. It’s like a highlevel training ground where players home their skills, compete fiercely, and climb rankings to punch their ticket to the PGA Tour. The top 20 finishers on the 2025 Korn Fair Tour points list clinched those spots, kicking off the 2026 season in January. Chandler Blanchett stole the show at the championship with a dazzling six under 66, birdying the first three holes and securing his second win of the year. He edged out Baron Botha by two strokes who had desperately needed a victory to crack the top 20. 11 golfers entered the event already guaranteed a tour card while the remaining nine spots went to those ranking high in points but still chasing that final push. Leading the pack was Johnny Kefir, who dominated with two triumphs at the Veritex Bank Championship and the NV5 Invitational. He shattered records, boasting six top five finishes, nine top 10s, and 15 top 25s, plus a new single season scoring average mark of 67.95, surpassing Luke Guthy’s 2012 record of 68.33. Kefir’s journey began at Baylor University, where he broke Jimmy Walker’s career scoring average record. His PGA Tour America status from University Perks and a 2024 Fortnet Cup win set him up for success. Starting his pro career in 2024, ranked 1,654th globally, he rocketed to 51st by season’s end. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, he traded lacrosse for golf after his dad’s clever bribe and became a huge fan of The Office, watching it countless times. Chandler Blanche, finishing second in points, earned his first tour card after four seasons on the corn ferry tour. highlighted by wins at the Price Cutter Charity Championship and the championship itself. He bounced back from past rankings, 95th in 202021, 115th in 2022 by dominating PGA Tour Latino America, and securing conditional status at the University of West Florida. He racked up 13 individual titles, including NCAA Division 2 medalist honors and the Arnold Palmer Award. Born in Gainesville, Florida, he frequented local courses and got into Pourover Coffee recently. Austin Smotherman, a three-time Cornferry Tour winner, returned to the tour with victories at the BMW Charity ProAm and the Memorial Health Championship, tied for third in top 25 finishes, 13. He previously graduated in 202021 from Lumis, California. He played at Hagen Oaks and won his high school state title at Southern Methodist University. He was a two-time all-American, helping his team to the 2014 AAC Championship and NCAA match play. Neil Shipley clinched his maiden tour spot with dramatic comebacks, overcoming a four-stroke deficit at the LEOM Sunost Classic, beating St. Lee in a playoff and a sevenstroke hole at the Ascendant. A Pittsburgh native, he excelled at Central Catholic High School where alumni include NFL grades. He studied at James Madison and Ohio State, earning degrees in quantitative finance and data analytics. His 2023 US amateur runnerup, earned masters and US Open open exemptions, and he appeared in Netflix’s Full Swing. Emilio Gonzalez joined the tour after his third corn ferry season, winning the Albertson’s Boise Open. Recovering from appendicitis earlier, he improved from 172nd in 2023. At St. Mary’s University, he won seven titles and conference awards. Inspired by his sister’s success from San Miguel de Aende, Mexico, he becomes the sixth Mexican via this route. Anklabiota returned to the tour with a playoff win at the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic and four top fives. Previously a tour member through 2022 23. He earned FedEx Cup playoff status at Florida State. He won two titles and was ACC player of the year. From Orlando, he lettered in golf and baseball. Adrien Dumont Desert’s record 33 under 251 at the compliance solutions championship including an 11 under 59 secured his return. He was a 2023 graduate and won his pro debut at the University of Illinois. He earned three straight Big 10 player of the year honors from Belgium. He’s one of two from his country. SH Kim defended his tour standing with a win at the Advent Health Championship and two runners up. A 2022 graduate, he had a strong rookie year with international titles. Christo Lamperect, a first timer, won the Pinnacle Bank Championship with a dramatic bunker shot on the final hole from Georgia Tech. He topped the world amateur ranking and won the amateur championship at 68. He jokes about his height. A South African with ties to Ernie L’s. Davis Chatfield earned his card in his third cornfairy season without a win with two runners up and six top 10s. A Notre Dame graduate, he qualified through Q school and plays in the Northeast. Zack Ba won the Simmons Bank Open for his first tour spot. After struggles, he built status via the Asian tour and special temporary membership. At Oklahoma State, he was on the NCAA champions. Pius and Cudi, a three-time winner, returned with seven top 10s. A 2023 graduate and twin brother of Parker, he starred at Texas and rose to number one amateur. St. Lee, a rookie, got his card with six top 10s and 21 cuts made from the KPGA tour. He won his first international title. Jeffrey Kang secured his spot in his second season, moving up with late runners up. A USC alum and junior rider cuppper, he played various tours before cornfairy. Kensei Herata, another rookie, had four top threes from Japan. He won six titles on the Japan Golf Tour and became Rookie of the Year. Trace Crow retained and improved his status despite a wrist injury, missing finals. He won the UNCC Health Championship, a 2023 Q school graduate. John Vanderland won the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship for his first card in five seasons. From Florida Southern, he won 11 titles and the Division 2 Championship. Z changed with late runners up in the finals. A free-time graduate, Sudarian Yelamaraju won the Bahamas great abico classic and two top fives from India to Canada, he turned pro young, Pontis Nihome defeated Kefir in a playoff at the visit Knoxville Open for his first win. A Sweden hockey fan and this is the part most people miss. While some soared with multiple victories, others like Davis Chatfield and Pearson Cudi cracked the top 20 without a single win, sparking debates on whether consistency outweighs highlight moments in golf’s meritocracy. Is the Q school system fair for those grinding through stages? Or should more weight go to oncourse performances? What do you think? Does this reward the right talent or is there room for reform? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
