The 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season has concluded, and 20 new PGA TOUR cards have been awarded! Get to know the newest members of the PGA TOUR, including Johnny Keefer, Chandler Blanchet, Neal Shipley, and more. Learn about their journeys, achievements, and what it took to earn their PGA TOUR cards. From record-breaking performances to dramatic victories, these players have proven themselves on the Korn Ferry Tour and are ready to take on the PGA TOUR. Discover the stories behind these rising stars and find out what makes each of them a player to watch in the 2026 season.
Key highlights:
– Johnny Keefer clinches the No. 1 position on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List.
– Chandler Blanchet wins the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
– Neal Shipley earns his first PGA TOUR card with comeback victories.
– 12 players will be PGA TOUR rookies for the 2026 season.
– 9 countries and territories represented among the graduates.
Don’t miss this in-depth look at the future stars of the PGA TOUR!
Get ready to meet the 20 newest PGA Tour members as the 2025 Cornferry Tour season comes to a thrilling close. But here’s where it gets controversial. While some players like Chandler Blanche and Johnny Kefir dominated with multiple wins, others like Davis Chatfield secured their spot without a single victory. And this is the part most people miss. The diverse backgrounds of these graduates. From Christo Lampre’s towering height to Sedashan Yella Maraju’s journey from India to Canada add a fascinating layer to their stories. Let’s dive into the details of each player’s journey from their amateur achievements to their corn feral tour triumphs and explore the thought-provoking question. Does the current system fairly reward consistency over sporadic brilliance? Share your thoughts in the comments below. The 2025 Cornferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing Finance concluded on Sunday evening at the Pete Die Course in French Lick, Indiana with 20 PGA Tour cards awarded. The top 20 players on the 2025 Cornferry Tour points list earned PGA Tour membership for the 2026 season starting in January. Chandler Blanchett claimed victory with a six under 66, finishing two strokes ahead of Baron Boa. 11 players were already assured of a PGA Tour card, while the remaining nine were awarded based on their top 20 standings. Johnny Kefir topped the points list, earning exemptions for the players championship 2026 and the 2026 US Open. Kefir’s achievements include breaking the Cornferry Tour record for single season scoring average 67.95. Notable among the graduates are 12 PGA Tour rookies representing nine countries and territories. Two PGA Tour University alums, Johnny Kefir and Christo Lamperect, also earned their first PGA Tour cards. Here’s a detailed look at each graduate. Starting with Johnny Kefir, who led the tour in top five, top 10, and top 25 finishes. Kefir’s journey includes a number 25 finish in the 2024 PGA Tour University ranking and a number one spot in the 2024 Forinet Cup standings. His personal story includes growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and a love for the TV show The Office. Chandler Blanche, number two on the list, earned his first PGA Tour card after four seasons on the Cornferry Tour with victories at the 2025 Price Cutter Charity Championship and the Cornferry Tour Championship. Blanchett’s amateur career at the University of West Florida included 13 individual victories and medalist honors at the 2017 NCAA Division 2 Championship. Austin Smotherman, a three-time cornf tour winner, returns to the PGA Tour after victories at the 2025 BMW charity ProAm and the Memorial Health Championship. Smotherman, a native of Lumis, California, played at Southern Methodist University alongside Bryson Dashambo and Harry Higgs. Neil Shipley, number four, earned his first PGA Tour membership with comeback victories at the 2025 Leecom Sunost Classic and The Ascendant presented by Blue Shipley, a Pittsburgh native, graduated from Ohio State University with a master’s degree in data analytics. Emlio Gonzalez, number five, secured his first PGA Tour card with a victory at the 2025 Albertson’s Boise Open. Gonzalez from San Miguel de Alende, Mexico, played at St. Mary’s University where he earned seven individual victories and three conference player of the year awards. Hank Lebioda, number six, returns to the PGA Tour after his first corn ferry tour title and four additional top five finishes. Lebiotaa, a Florida State University alum, was named the 2016 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Adrien Deont Desasar, number seven, clinched his return to the PGA Tour with a record setting victory at the 2025 Compliance Solutions Championship. Dumont Desert from Belgium played at the University of Illinois, earning three consecutive Big 10 Conference Player of the Year awards. SH Kim number eight retained PGA Tour membership with a victory at the 2025 Advent Health Championship and two runnerup finishes. Kim, a South Korean, previously won the 2020 KPGA Championship and the 2021 Japan PGA Championship. Christo Lamprect, number nine, secured his first PGA Tour card in his first full corn ferry tour season. Lamperect from South Africa won the 2025 Pinnacle Bank Championship with a dramatic bunker shot on the 72nd hole. He stands 6′ 8 in tall and is a family friend of Ernie El’s. Davis Chatfield number 10 earned his first PGA Tour membership without a victory this season. Chatfield from Attalboroough, Massachusetts played at the University of Notre Dame and honed his game at Highland Country Club. Zack Bowshu, number 11, secured his first PGA Tour card with a win at the 2025 Simmons Bank Open. Bosshu, an Oklahoma State University alum, was part of the 2018 NCAA Championship winning team. Pier and Cudi, number 12, a three-time cornferry tour winner, returns to the PGA Tour with seven top 10s. Kudy, a University of Texas alum, is the grandson of Charles Kudy and twin brother of Parker Kudy. St. Lee, number 13, earned his first PGA Tour card in his rookie season with six top 10 finishes. Lee from South Korea, played on the KPGA Tour for 8 years before joining the Cornferry Tour. Jeffrey Kang, number 14, earned his first PGA Tour card in his second Cornferry Tour season. Kang, a Los Angeles native, played at the University of Southern California and represented the US at the 2008 Junior Rider Cup. Kensei Hiata, number 15, earned his first PGA Tour card with four top three finishes. Hiata from Japan becomes the fifth Japanese player to earn PGA Tour membership via the Cornferry Tour. Trace Crowe, number 16, retained PGA Tour membership despite missing the season ending events due to injury. Crow, an Orburn University alum, earned his second career win at the 2025 UNCC Health Championship. John Vanderan, number 17, earned his first PGA Tour card in his fifth cornferry tour season. Vanderan from Southbury, Connecticut, won the 2025 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. Zchangen Do number 18, a three-time cornferry tour winner, secured his return to the PGA Tour with a late season surge. Do from China, graduated from the cornferry tour for the third time. Sudash and Yela Maraju number 19 earned his first PGA tour card with a victory at the Bahamas great abico classic. Yela Maraju born in India and raised in Canada turned professional at 19 years old. Pontis Niholm number 20 earned his first PGA Tour card in his fourth cornferry tour season. Niholm from Sweden defeated Johnny Kefir in a playoff at the 2025 Visit Knoxville
