Welcome to the latest creation from the guys up at PGA Tour headquarters — PGA Tour University.
No, PGA Tour University does not have a campus, no curriculum, no degrees.
So what is it and what does it have?
The answer is pretty simple — it rewards four-year college golfers with a path to the PGA Tour. It rewards them for playing well in college events, rewards them for those summer amateur events and hopefully it will be somewhat of a game changer for the up-and-comers, aka tour hopefuls.
This latest move by the PGA Tour will help those college players earn professional status for their performance in college tournaments and other designated events.
The program, not actually a “university” in a literal sense of the word, will reward seniors (sorry freshmen and sophomores) with status on the Korn Ferry Tour and the TOUR’s international circuits — The Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR LatinoAmerica and the PGA TOUR China Series.
The program will begin in 2021. The “University” will a ranking system. Following the NCAA Division I Championships, the top five earn immediate status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the remainder of that season. It will get them right in the mix for 25 cards for the regular season and if they play well enough to get into the Korn Ferry playoffs, they have a chance to earn one of 25 cards there.
Now a good summer means a college star can be on the PGA TOUR in a matter of months. If he doesn’t get on the regular PGA Tour, his high standing on the PGA TOUR University Rankings will earn him an exemption straight into the final stage of Korn Ferry Q-School, guaranteeing him Korn Ferry Tour status for the following season.
Nos. 6-15 on the PGA TOUR University rankings can choose to take status on either the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR LatinoAmerica or PGA TOUR China.
Main catch in all of this “University” stuff is that players must spend four years at a Division I university to be eligible for the benefits. This will encourage them to get an education, and help them develop the physical, emotional and mental skills necessary for the pro game.
You’ll remember that the 2020 college season was wiped out by the Corona Virus pandemic. Seniors from that class were allowed to return to their respective schools for a fifth season on their golf teams. There’s a lot of talent coming back and this program will be a big help to them.
So who’s the Dean of Players? Is it The Sheriff Of Nottingham (aka tour commish Jay Monahan)? No answers there. If you were going to have a “President” of PGA Tour University, we have a suggestion — how about Jack Nicklaus?
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
A lot to like here.
The one thing I would like is the possibility to go straight to the pga tour. Some players are just that good and good for the game.
The pga tour will still provide exemptions to top college players, allowing them a chance to earn a card, like Jordan sports and others.
But it would be fun to once-in-while identify a players as so good they just belong now.
Tom Edrington
Matt Wolff, Collin Morikawa had no problem getting there fast. Took Viktor Hovland just a tad longer but he got there quickly as well.