Getty
Hunter Eichhorn tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron 2025 at Hillcrest Country Club on August 14.
The pathway to earning a PGA Tour card remains one of the most intense and pressure-packed processes in professional golf: the multi-stage qualifying tournament affectionately (or dreadfully) known as Q-School. For the 2025 qualifying season, Q-School consisted of several phases: Pre-Qualifying, First Stage, Second Stage, and the Final Stage.
Only a handful of players–those who endure the pressure, navigate often-harsh conditions, and shoot beautifully over 72 holes–make it through. Success isn’t just about technical skill; it’s about nerves, consistency, and mental resilience. For many, advancing through Second Stage is a major milestone; for a fortunate few, making it to the Final Stage can culminate in earning full PGA Tour status.
In 2025, Second Stage was held December 2-5 at five regional sites across the U.S.
The 2025 Second Stage – Who Made the Cut
With the Second Stage complete, a number of players have punched their tickets to the Final Stage, set to be held December 11-14 at the iconic TPC Sawgrass (Valley Course) and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Here’s a breakdown by site:
The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, Savannah, GA – Top 22 advanced; winner was Hunter Eichhorn at -21. Others advancing included Carl Yuan among a large tie for fourth, and several players making the cut at -13.
The Club at Starr Pass, Tucson, AZ – 14 players advanced. Co-medalists were Tyler Leach and James Song (both -4). Riley Lewis closed with -3, tying for third with Norman Xiong.
Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Valdosta, GA – Weather shortened to 54 holes; 18 advanced. Winner was Ryan Burnett (-14), with qualifiers extending down to -5 at the cut line.
RTJ Trail at Highland Oaks, Dothan, AL – Also reduced to 54 holes; 17 advanced. Sam Choi won at -13; final qualifiers included players at -6.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa (Conservatory), Palm Coast, FL – Full 72 holes played; 17 advanced. Champion was Nick Gabrelcik (-17), with the final qualifying line at -7.
In total, dozens of golfers now move on to the Final Stage, where the real prize–a 2026 PGA TOUR card–awaits for the top five (plus ties).
What’s at Stake in the Final Stage
For those who make it to Sawgrass in mid-December, everything is on the line. The top five finishers (and ties) at Final Stage will earn full PGA Tour membership for 2026.
For many golfers, the difference between a few strokes can dramatically change the trajectory of their careers–one spot in the top five can mean full access, sponsorships, and a shot at major tournaments; finishing just outside often means another season grinding on feeder tours.
The drama of Q-School transcends mere statistics. For thousands of aspiring professionals, it’s the culmination of years of dreaming, working, sacrificing, and believing.
Every competitor who advanced this week has weathered multiple stages: countless hours on the driving range, hundreds of putts on windy greens, the emotional rollercoaster of good rounds and bad, and the overwhelming pressure that comes with “play or go home.”
When Players Don’t Advance – What’s Next?
Failing to advance through Q-School, especially at Second Stage or the Final Stage, is a tough reality many professionals face each year. The emotional and financial costs are significant: months of preparation, travel expenses, and training often come without a guarantee of status, prize money, or sponsorship. But elimination from Q-School is not the end of the road; for many players, it becomes a recalibration point rather than a finish line. The competitive golf ecosystem has evolved, offering more developmental pathways than ever before.
Most players who fall short pivot toward other professional circuits such as the Korn Ferry Tour qualifiers, PGA Tour Americas, mini-tours, or regional and international tours. These events provide competitive reps, opportunities to earn world ranking points, and seasonal momentum that can build toward another run at Q-School the following year.
Some players also seek Monday qualifiers, sponsor exemptions, or team event opportunities that keep them visible. In many ways, not advancing becomes motivation–fuel that drives players back to the grind, knowing that one hot stretch, one breakout win, or one second chance can be enough to reopen the PGA Tour door. Ultimately, Q-School may close a chapter, but it rarely closes a career; for most, it’s just a different fairway on the long route toward the dream.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
More Heavy on Golf
Loading more stories
