The Korn Ferry Tour finale delivered a thrilling conclusion, with Chandler Blanchet claiming the championship title! But the real drama unfolded in the race for the coveted PGA Tour cards.
Blanchet showcased his talent with a stunning 6-under 66 in the final round, securing his second victory of the year at The Pete Dye Course. This impressive performance solidified his position as the runner-up in the season-long points race.
Now, here's where it gets interesting: the top 20 players in the standings earn PGA Tour cards for the upcoming season. Johnny Keefer, a rising star at just 24 years old, managed to hold onto his top spot, despite a tie for 12th in the final tournament. This not only grants him a PGA Tour card but also entry into prestigious events like The Players Championship and the U.S. Open in 2026. And the cherry on top? Keefer avoids the reshuffles that his fellow graduates will face next year.
The pressure was on for Mitchell Meissner, who started the week in 21st place and needed to move up to secure his card. Unfortunately, he finished T-37, missing out on the top 20. Barend Botha also had a chance but needed a win, which slipped away with a final-round 70, placing him 28th.
The reduced number of PGA Tour cards available, due to changes in the main tour's full exempt status, has added an extra layer of competition to the Korn Ferry Tour. With only 100 cards up for grabs (down from 125), the battle for a spot in the top 20 was fierce.
Finishing in the top 20 is not just about prestige; it's a ticket to the big leagues. Players ranked 21st to 75th will still have full Korn Ferry Tour status next season and a chance to qualify for the PGA Tour through Q-School. But it's safe to say that the top 20 are the real winners here.
And now, the moment you've been waiting for: the top 20 Korn Ferry Tour finishers who will be gracing the PGA Tour next year. Drumroll, please...
- Johnny Keefer - The young champion with a bright future ahead.
- Chandler Blanchet - A consistent performer and well-deserved runner-up.
- Austin Smotherman
- Neal Shipley
- Emilio Gonzalez
- Hank Lebioda
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart
- S.H. Kim
- Christo Lamprecht
- Davis Chatfield
- Zach Bauchou
- Pierceson Coody
- S.T. Lee
- Jeffry Kang
- Kensei Hirata
- Trace Crowe
- John VanDerLaan
- Marty Dou
- Sudarshan Yellamaraju
- Pontus Nyholm
There you have it! The Korn Ferry Tour has spoken, and these talented golfers are ready to take on the PGA Tour. But the question remains: who will be the breakout star of this group? Share your predictions in the comments below!
