Get to know the 20 newest members of the PGA TOUR! From comeback victories to record-breaking scores, these Korn Ferry Tour graduates have earned their spot on the big stage. We’ll dive into their journeys, from college golf to the PGA TOUR University, and uncover some fun facts about these rising stars. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and look forward to their debut on the PGA TOUR in 2026. #KornFerryTour #PGA #Golf
Dreams realized the 20 golfers who defied the odds to earn their PGA Tour cards for 2026. The 2025 Cornferry Tour season reached its thrilling conclusion Sunday at the Cornferry Tour Championship in French Lick, Indiana. After months of intense competition, 20 golfers officially secured their PGA Tour memberships for the 2026 season. A life-changing achievement that represents the culmination of years of dedication. But here’s where it gets interesting. Nearly half of these new tour members, 12 of 20, will be rookies next season, proving that fresh talent continues to disrupt professional golf’s traditional pathways. The road to the PGA Tour. The top 20 finishers on the seasonl long cornfairy tour points list earned their cards. Chandler Blanched delivered a statement performance, birdying his first three holes during a dominant 6 under 66 final round to win the tour championship by two strokes over Baron Botha. This marked Blanchett’s second victory of 2025, cementing his breakthrough season after previous struggles on the developmental circuit. Johnny Kefir claimed the prestigious number one spot on the points list, an achievement that earns him exemptions into both the players championship and US Open in 2026. The Baylor University product rewrote the Cornferry Tour record books with a staggering 67.95 scoring average, breaking Luke Guthri’s 13-year-old record. His journey from world number 1,654 at his professional debut in June 2024 to top 50 status demonstrates one of golf’s most remarkable recent ascents by the numbers. 12 PGA Tour rookies headlined by Christo Lamperect, the 6’8 in South African who made a walk-off bunker shot to win the Pinnacle Bank Championship. Nine countries represented from Belgium to Japan, showcasing golf’s global growth. Two PGA Tour University alumni, Kefir and Lamperect, proving the success of this collegiate pathway program. Controversial question with so many international players earning cards 45% of this class. Is the American development system losing ground to global training programs? Notable graduates. One, Johnny Kefir, number one, the record- setting Texan who watched The Office 10 plus times during road trips. Two, Christo Lamperect. Number nine, the towering South African once nicknamed Melman after the Madagascar giraffe for his growth spurt. Three, Adrien Dumont Dassart, number eight. Seven, the Belgian who shot a historic 59 and set the tour’s 72 hole scoring record minus 33. Four, Kensei Herata, number 15, Japan’s newest PGA Tour representative who won four times in his home country at age 23. Five, Sudarian Yalamaraju, number 19, the Indiaborn Canada player who learned golf from YouTube videos. The debate, several players earned cards without winning this season. Six of 20. Should the PGA Tour modify its promotion system to require at least one victory? Each graduate brings a unique background. From Neil Shipley, the Ohio State grad featured on Netflix’s Full Swing, to Trace Crowe, who played through a wrist injury. These stories prove there’s no single path to golf’s highest level. Now, it’s your turn to discuss. Which of these new tour members are you most excited to watch in 2026? Do you think any can win as rookies? Share your predictions below.
