A thrilling week at PGA TOUR Q-School Second Stage saw dreams realized and dashed! We recap the top performers, including Hunter Eichhorn, Nick Gabrelcik, Sam Choi, and Ryan Burnett.
Ethan Ng advances with his dad on the bag, while Maxwell Moldovan survives in dramatic fashion. We’ll also cover notable players who missed the cut, such as Austin Cook and Sam Bennett.
Get the latest updates and insights as players battle for Korn Ferry Tour status and a shot at the PGA TOUR!
Imagine standing at a crossroads, your entire professional golf career hanging in the balance. That’s the reality for players at the second stage of PGA Tour Q School presented by Cornferry, a high stakes tournament that can either catapult dreams or crush them. But here’s where it gets controversial. While some see it as a fair pathway to the big leagues, others argue it’s a brutal, unforgiving gauntlet that leaves many talented players in limbo. So, what really happens when the pressure is on? Let’s dive in. This week, five second stage sites across America became battlegrounds for aspiring golfers with 88 players securing their spot in next week’s 72-hole final stage at TPC Sorrass Dies Valley Course and Srass Country Club in Northeast Florida. For these players, it’s not just about advancing. It’s about earning conditional corn ferry tour status and a shot at the ultimate prize, a 2026 PGA tour card. But for those who fall short, it’s a year of uncertainty, bouncing between mini tours, Monday qualifiers, or scrambling for sponsor exemptions. And this is the part most people miss, the emotional and mental toll of Q school. Take Ethaning for example who advanced with his dad on the bag describing the day as probably the most stressful of my life or Maxwell Moldovan who birded the 72nd hole to post seven under only to wait an agonizing hour to see if his score would hold. It felt really good for a while and then it started looking kind of bleak. He admitted these stories highlight the raw human side of a sport often defined by precision and poise. Among the standout moments, Hunter Icorn earned medalist honors at an impressive 21 under 267, while Luke Gutsky, son of PGA Tour pro Scott Gutchki, closed with an 8 under 64 to qualify. Sam Choi, another medalist, redeemed himself after losing his corn ferry tour card in 2024, proving that second chances do exist in golf. But not everyone made it through. Notable misses included tour winner Austin Cook and former US amateur champion Sam Bennett, reminding us that even the most accomplished players aren’t immune to Q School’s unpredictability. Here’s the bold question. Does Q School truly reward the best players or does its pressure cooker format sometimes leave talent behind? Let’s discuss in the comments. From Taylor Swift enthusiast Eddie Lie who stormed back with a seven under 63 to secure his spot to Matt Atkins who joked about being too mentally drained to drive to final stage. This year’s second stage was a roller coaster of emotion, skill, and sheer determination. It’s a reminder that golf isn’t just about birdies and bogeies. It’s about resilience, family, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. So, what’s your take? Is Q school a necessary evil or a flawed system? Share your thoughts below.
