The 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season concluded with 20 PGA TOUR cards awarded. Chandler Blanchet won the season-ending event, while Johnny Keefer clinched the No. 1 spot on the Points List. 12 players will be PGA TOUR rookies in 2026, representing 9 countries. The graduates include 2 PGA TOUR University alums, 3-time Korn Ferry Tour winners, and players with unique backgrounds and achievements. From Neal Shipley’s comeback victories to Hank Lebioda’s return to the PGA TOUR, each player has a story to tell. Get to know the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour graduates and their journeys to the PGA TOUR.
Get ready to meet the 20 newest PGA Tour members. But here’s the twist. These aren’t just any players. The 2025 Cornferryy Tour graduates are a diverse and talented bunch hailing from nine different countries and territories, and they’re ready to shake things up on the big stage. But what makes this class truly stand out? The 2025 season concluded with a thrilling finale at the Cornferry Tour Championship where 20 PGA Tour cards were awarded. Among the graduates, 12’s players will be making their PGA Tour debut, including Johnny Kefir, who clinched the number one position on the Kornferryy Tour points list. Kefir’s journey is particularly noteworthy as he broke the Cornferry Tour record for single season scoring average, previously held by Luke Guthrie. And this is the part most people miss. Kefir’s success wasn’t just about winning tournaments. It was about consistency with six top five finishes and nine top 10s. But here’s where it gets controversial. While some players like Chandler Blanche secured their PGA Tour cards through multiple victories, others like Davis Chatfield finished in the top 20 without a single win. This raises the question, does winning matter more than consistency in golf? Should the PGA Tour reconsider its qualification criteria to prioritize winners over consistent performers? As we delve into the profiles of these graduates, we find a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Take Neil Shipley for instance who earned his PGA Tour membership through comeback victories or Crystal Lamperect the first South African to reach number one in the world amateur golf ranking. Then there’s Sudaran Yalamar Raju who immigrated from India to Canada as a child and turned professional at just 19 years old. One thing’s for sure, this class of graduates is poised to bring a fresh perspective to the PGA Tour. With players from diverse backgrounds and playing styles, the 2026 season promises to be exciting and unpredictable. But as we celebrate their achievements, let’s also consider the broader implications of their success. Are we doing enough to support and promote diversity in golf? And what can we learn from these players journeys to inspire the next generation of golfers? As you read through the profiles of these 20 graduates, think about what makes each player unique and how they might contribute to the PGA Tour. Who do you think will make the biggest impact? And more importantly, what can we do to ensure that golf remains an inclusive and welcoming sport for players from all walks of life?
