The 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season has concluded, and 20 players have earned their PGA TOUR cards for 2026. In this video, we break down the five most compelling graduates who are set to make waves on the PGA TOUR. From Johnny Keefer’s rapid rise to Neal Shipley’s electrifying play, Christo Lamprecht’s unmatched power, Adrian Dumont de Chassart’s resurgence, and Kensei Hirata’s international prowess, these golfers are ones to watch. Discover why each player stands out and what makes them must-see TV in the upcoming season. Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or a casual fan, this video will give you the inside scoop on the future stars of the PGA TOUR.
Key Highlights:
– Johnny Keefer: From PGA TOUR University to Korn Ferry dominance, can he keep the momentum going?
– Neal Shipley: Low amateur at the Masters and U.S. Open, but how will he handle a full TOUR schedule?
– Christo Lamprecht: The 6-foot-8 powerhouse with a game to match his stature.
– Adrian Dumont de Chassart: Overcoming injury to reclaim his spot on the TOUR.
– Kensei Hirata: Japan’s rising star with six JGT wins, ready to conquer the PGA TOUR.
PGATOUR #KornFerryTour #Golf #RisingStars #JohnnyKeefer #NealShipley #ChristoLamprecht #AdrianDumontDeChassart #KenseiHirata
The Cornferry Tour’s annual graduation ceremony to the PGA Tour is a spectacle of talent and potential. This year, 20 players secured their spots, and we’re here to highlight the five most compelling graduates to follow. But here’s where it gets controversial. Who will live up to the hype and who will struggle to find their footing? Let’s dive in and explore the stories of these rising stars. Johnny Kefir, a late bloomer. Kefir slipped into the PGA Tour pipeline, but quickly proved his merit with a dominating performance on the Cornferry Tour, including two wins and a seasonl long points race lead. He’s already making waves. Despite only playing three career PGA Tour starts, Kefir climbed to number 51 in the official World Golf ranking. His well-rounded game, including strong driving and greens in regulation, makes him a favorite to qualify for the Masters before his rookie year ends. Will he continue his torid pace on the PGA Tour? Neil Shipley, the low amateur at the 2024 Masters and US Open, has already shown what he can do on the PGA Tour. With nine cuts made in 12 starts, including a T6 finish at the Isco Championship, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Despite not standing out in collegiate pro events, Shipley worked his way up from the bottom, qualifying for the Cornferry Tour and quickly parlaying an exemplary season into his tour card. The question remains, will he shine with a full tour schedule, or will he struggle to find his rhythm? Christo Lampre. Christo Lampre, a towering 6’8 South African, is hard to ignore. With a remarkable power game and an impressive resume as a former amateur world number one, he’s a standout. Lampre acclimated quickly to the Cornferry Tour, finishing ninth on the points list in his first full year. His potential is similar to that of Michael Thorbjornson who is finding his footing on the PGA tour with wins at the amateur championship and the open championship. Lamperect is a player to watch no matter how he fares in his rookie season. Adrien Dumont de Chassart. Dum Dassart, a post hype sleeper, returns to the tour with less fanfare but plenty of potential after a wrist injury hampered his consistency in 2024. He’s back on track leading the Cornferry tour in birdie average in 2025. His record- setting victory at the compliance solutions championship with a 33 under 251 score marked the lowest 72 hole score relative to par in cornfairy tour history. With a year of tour experience and a healthy game, Dumond Deassart is poised for success. Kense Herata. Kensei Herata, a prolific winner in his young career, has six Japan Golf Tour wins, including four in 2024. He’s the third youngest to achieve four wins on the Japanese tour, following in the footsteps of Rio Ishikawa and Matsyama. Herata’s talent is evident, and as a PGA Tour rookie, he’s sure to be a compelling watch. Will he continue his winning streak on the PGA Tour? These five graduates bring a range of stories and potential to the PGA Tour. Who will live up to the hype and who will surprise us with their resilience? The stage is set for an exciting season and we can’t wait to see these players in action.
