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PGA TOUR Canada announces 2023 Qualifying Tournament information

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — PGA TOUR Canada announced Wednesday it will hold six Qualifying Tournaments to determine Tour membership for the 2023 season, with registration beginning Monday, January 9, 2023, at noon EST. The Tour will hold five Qualifying Tournaments in the U.S., beginning in late-February, and conclude with its final qualifier in Canada a week before the Tour’s regular season, its ninth in history, begins.

PGA TOUR Canada completed its season in September, crowning the Fortinet Cup Points List leader – Edmonton’s Wil Bateman – as Player of the Year. Bateman became the inaugural winner of the Fortinet Cup after winning twice in 2022 and is now a fully exempt member of the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2023 season. Players hoping to follow in Bateman’s footsteps can begin by earning PGA TOUR Canada membership, with playing spots available at the six Qualifying Tournaments.

“We are coming off a remarkably successful season, and we will continue to build on that momentum in 2023. The first steps are at our Qualifying Tournaments, where players can get on the path that will take them to their ultimate destination, which is the PGA TOUR,” said PGA TOUR Canada Executive Director Scott Pritchard. “Through the years, we’ve been fortunate that so many players are interested in pursuing their professional dreams by playing on PGA TOUR Canada. We anticipate there will be strong demand by players to come to our Tour, as players know about the quality of courses, the cities we visit and the caliber of competition PGA TOUR Canada offers.”

The qualifiers begin with two tournaments in Florida (Weston and Howey-in-the-Hills) on consecutive weeks in late-February, early March. The action starts February 21-24 at The Club at Weston Hills’ Tour Course, as it hosts a Qualifying Tournament for a second consecutive year. The Howey-in-the-Hills tournament is at historic Mission Inn Resort and Club, a long-time host of both PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica tournaments. It has hosted six previous PGA TOUR Canada qualifiers. The following week, the RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Alabama, is the site for a third consecutive year.

A month later, the qualifiers move west, with events at Wigwam Golf Club in the Phoenix suburb of Litchfield Park, Arizona (April 4-7) and at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto, California (April 11-14).

Notable PGA TOUR members to emerge from these sites in recent years include Cameron Young (medalist at Dothan in 2020), Will Zalatoris (runner-up at Wigwam Golf Club in 2019), Alex Smalley (T3 at Howey-in-the-Hills in 2020), Hayden Buckley (T4 at Wigwam Golf Club in 2019), Carson Young (T7 at Howey-in-the-Hills in 2020) and Philip Knowles (T9 at Howey-in the-Hills in 2019).

Bateman finished T5 at the Wigwam Golf Club site in 2021, retained membership for 2022 via the points list and won the Fortinet Cup with his two-win season.

The final Qualifying Tournament is set for June 6-9 in Courtenay, British Columbia. Crowne Isle Resort and Golf Club has previously hosted seven Qualifying Tournaments. PGA TOUR Canada’s season begins the week after this Q-School.

Here is a look at the six tournaments that will all be 72-hole, Tuesday-to-Friday, no-cut events:

February 21-24

The Club at Weston Hills (Tour)

Weston, Florida

February 28-March 3

Mission Inn Resort and Club (El Campeon)

Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida

RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks

(Highlands/Marshwood)

Dothan, Alabama

Wigwam GC (Gold)

Litchfield Park, Arizona

April 11-14

Soboba Springs GC

San Jacinto, California

Crowne Isle Resort and GC

Courtenay, British Columbia

“This is a great lineup of tournaments that will test players’ skills and abilities. Those who emerge with Tour cards will have another strong PGA TOUR Canada schedule to play in 2023, with a chance to continue progressing in their professional careers,” Pritchard added.

Among player benefits available, a three-time winner on the Tour would earn automatic promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour. Additionally, the top five players on the 2023 Fortinet Cup Points List will receive 2024 Korn Ferry Tour membership, with the player finishing first earning fully exempt status. The top five players will also be exempt into the Final Stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, competing for a PGA TOUR card, which will be awarded to top-five finishers and ties. Those in the sixth-through-25th Fortinet Cup positions are exempt into the Second Stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In addition, the top 60 players on the final Fortinet Cup standings will retain their PGA TOUR Canada playing privileges for 2024.

PGA TOUR Canada will announce its complete regular season schedule in early 2023.

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PGA TOUR Canada Announces 2023 Qualifying Tournament Schedule

Courtesy Press Release

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida — PGA TOUR Canada announced Wednesday it will hold six Qualifying Tournaments to determine Tour membership for the 2023 season, with registration beginning Monday, January 9, 2023, at noon EST.

The Tour will hold five Qualifying Tournaments in the U.S., beginning in late-February, and conclude with its final qualifier in Canada at BC's Crown Isle a week before the Tour’s regular season, its ninth in history, begins.

PGA TOUR Canada completed its season in September, crowning the Fortinet Cup Points List leader – Edmonton’s Wil Bateman – as Player of the Year.

Bateman became the inaugural winner of the Fortinet Cup after winning twice in 2022 and is now a fully exempt member of the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2023 season. Players hoping to follow in Bateman’s footsteps can begin by earning PGA TOUR Canada membership, with playing spots available at the six Qualifying Tournaments. Players can access the registration site here . “We are coming off a remarkably successful season, and we will continue to build on that momentum in 2023. The first steps are at our Qualifying Tournaments, where players can get on the path that will take them to their ultimate destination, which is the PGA TOUR,” said PGA TOUR Canada Executive Director Scott Pritchard.

“Through the years, we’ve been fortunate that so many players are interested in pursuing their professional dreams by playing on PGA TOUR Canada. We anticipate there will be strong demand by players to come to our Tour, as players know about the quality of courses, the cities we visit and the caliber of competition PGA TOUR Canada offers.” The qualifiers begin with two tournaments in Florida (Weston and Howey-in-the-Hills) on consecutive weeks in late-February, early March. The action starts February 21-24 at The Club at Weston Hills’ Tour Course, as it hosts a Qualifying Tournament for a second consecutive year.

The Howey-in-the-Hills tournament is at historic Mission Inn Resort and Club, a long-time host of both PGA TOUR Canada and PGA TOUR Latinoamérica tournaments. It has hosted six previous PGA TOUR Canada qualifiers. The following week, the RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Alabama, is the site for a third consecutive year. A month later, the qualifiers move west, with events at Wigwam Golf Club in the Phoenix suburb of Litchfield Park, Arizona (April 4-7) and at Soboba Springs Golf Course in San Jacinto, California (April 11-14). Notable PGA TOUR members to emerge from these sites in recent years include Cameron Young (medalist at Dothan in 2020), Will Zalatoris (runner-up at Wigwam Golf Club in 2019), Alex Smalley (T3 at Howey-in-the-Hills in 2020), Hayden Buckley (T4 at Wigwam Golf Club in 2019), Carson Young (T7 at Howey-in-the-Hills in 2020) and Philip Knowles (T9 at Howey-in the-Hills in 2019). Bateman finished T5 at the Wigwam Golf Club site in 2021, retained membership for 2022 via the points list and won the Fortinet Cup with his two-win season. The final Qualifying Tournament is set for June 6-9 in Courtenay, British Columbia. Crowne Isle Resort and Golf Club has previously hosted seven Qualifying Tournaments. PGA TOUR Canada’s season begins the week after this Q-School. Here is a look at the six tournaments that will all be 72-hole, Tuesday-to-Friday, no-cut events:

“This is a great lineup of tournaments that will test players’ skills and abilities. Those who emerge with Tour cards will have another strong PGA TOUR Canada schedule to play in 2023, with a chance to continue progressing in their professional careers,” Pritchard added. 

Among player benefits available, a three-time winner on the Tour would earn automatic promotion to the Korn Ferry Tour. Additionally, the top five players on the 2023 Fortinet Cup Points List will receive 2024 Korn Ferry Tour membership, with the player finishing first earning fully exempt status.

The top five players will also be exempt into the Final Stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, competing for a PGA TOUR card, which will be awarded to top-five finishers and ties. Those in the sixth-through-25th Fortinet Cup positions are exempt into the Second Stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.

In addition, the top 60 players on the final Fortinet Cup standings will retain their PGA TOUR Canada playing privileges for 2024. 

PGA TOUR Canada will announce its complete regular season schedule in early 2023. 

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2023 PGA Tour Q-School Final Stage format, cut rules and playoff format

The 2023 PGA Tour Q-School Finals format has changed for 2023, with the PGA Tour event played at TPC Sawgrass (Dye's Valley Course) and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

The 2023 PGA Tour Q-School Finals field is 167 players.

PGA Tour Q-School Finals field is made up of a variety of players, including PGA Tour veterans, Korn Ferry Tour players, college graduates and up-and-coming players.

PGA Tour Q-School Finals format

PGA Tour Q-School Finals format is a 72-hole event. The field is divided into morning and afternoon waves for the first two rounds, with players competing in threesomes each day. The same threesomes play together in each of the first two rounds, with all groups playing together in the same window.

There are two courses used for the tournament in the first two rounds: the Dye's Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club. Each player will play a round on each course in the first two rounds.

A cut is not made after 36 holes to the top 65 players and ties. All players who start the event are eligible to finish the event.

For the third and fourth rounds, all players play another round on each of the two host courses, and the pairings and tee times are made based on each player's total score through two and three rounds, respectively. Players with the highest total score go first, then in descending order until the two players with the lowest total score in the final group.

The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes is the winner and will earn the 2023 PGA Tour Q-School Finals winner's share of the purse.

The winning player will get a full PGA Tour exemption for the season, including a berth into The Players Championship.

The top five and ties after 72 holes will earn 2024 PGA Tour membership, with the next 40 and ties earning guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour based on their finish. The next 20 and ties will earn guaranteed starts on PGA Tour Americas, which combines the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Canada schedule. All players who compete in the Final Stage receive a minimum of conditional Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Americas status.

PGA Tour Q-School Finals playoff format

A playoff to settle any ties after 72 holes will be played under PGA Tour rules. The PGA Tour Q-School Finals playoff format is a sudden-death format, with playoff holes played by any qualifying players. The players compete hole-by-hole until a winner is determined by a player scoring the lowest among the remaining players.

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What is PGA Tour Canada? [How to Qualify for PGA Tour Canada]

PGA Tour Canada is a series of tournaments hosted in Canada each summer, with one stop in the U.S., where golf stars begin the path to the PGA Tour. Formerly known as the Mackenzie Tour, the PGA Tour Canada remains one of the developmental tours where players can improve or hone their skills in preparation for PGA Q-School and/or the Korn Ferry Tour – with the primary goal of playing on the PGA Tour itself.

Although the tour is hosted and managed in Canada, foreign players from New Zealand, Australia, and the USA are known to be part of it. Owing to that, the PGA Canada tour has become a well-known golf tournament across the world.

If you are looking for the finest competition that the sport has to offer, the PGA Canada tour is a top option to consider. Any aspiring golfer can join the PGA Canada tour, as long as he or she has the skills to play golf at a professional level.

Each year, numerous golfers from around the world get involved in qualifying events of the tour, to win their way into big events and leagues in golf. The Canadian Tour is accredited with sending many players on to PGA Tour success. Canadian Mike Weir, the winner of eight PGA Tour titles – including the 2003 Masters – earned Rookie of the Year honors on the Canadian Tour in 1993.

PGA Tour Canada has its own series of qualifying schools at numerous sites across the country. The medalist at each of the six sites is fully exempt for the season. Also, those in the top 14 (not including ties) are exempt through the first six events, when a reshuffle happens. In case of a tie, note that a playoff is used to determine the final exempt position. Individuals in the top 40 including ties are conditionally exempt.

PGA Tour Canada Qualifying Tournament Procedures and Information

The primary mission of PGA Tour Canada is to deliver a PGA Tour experience for its members, fans, volunteers, and partners, and to ensure that they develop the future stars of professional golf and enrich the communities the Tour visits. Aside from the details and information noted above, here are other key details when looking to qualify for PGA Tour Canada;

Membership Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in PGA Tour Canada, professionals or amateurs will need a handicap index, which when applied to a qualifying course rating, will generate a course handicap of two (2.0) or less. The PGA TOUR reserves the right to validate the handicap index of amateurs and to refuse anyone not in alignment with the requirements.

In accordance with the PGA TOUR Canada Tournament Regulations, a player will need to be 18 years of age or older to qualify for membership.

A player under the age of 18 may be allowed to enter the PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament, as long as the player turns 18 on or before the first scheduled round of the final (official money) PGA TOUR Canada tournament of the season.

If a player under the age of 18 qualifies for the PGA TOUR Canada, the player would not be eligible for PGA TOUR Canada membership until his 18 th birthday.

The entry fee of $2,600 USD will have to be paid when sending in your application and be payable by credit card. Use of a Visa Debit card is not advisable. The entry fee includes a green fee, coupled with liability insurance coverage, covering liability that may occur as a result of the applicant’s presence at a qualifying competition site.

Only online entries are accepted and the entry fee for any player attempting to enter after the entry deadline will be $3,000 USD. Applications may be submitted for the one-week period as stipulated by the entry availability and deadlines noted by PGA Tour Canada.

Completed applications will be randomly selected until all tournament sites are filled. Note that any applicant whose applications are not selected pursuant to this process will not be eligible to compete in the 2022 PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament, and their entry fees will be refunded.

Have it in mind that PGA Tour Canada as of 2022 is a 72-hole stroke play competition with the low 30 qualifiers and any player tied for 30 th place earning eligibility status. The winner of each site will be exempt for the entire 2022 season and not subject to any reshuffle(s).

Also, note that Finishers 2-9 will be exempt through the reshuffle which will take place approximately halfway through the season. In case of a tie for 1 st or 9 th position, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff immediately following play. Finishers 10-30 and any player tied for 30 th place will get conditional status to the PGA TOUR Canada for the 2022 season.

Field Size & Site Assignment

According to reports, a maximum of 132 players are allowed per site. All 2021 members of the FORME Tour, coupled with all 2021-2022 PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Members will get priority in site assignment but will be drawn on a random basis from virtually the same pool of member applicants.

Member and non-member entries won’t be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis and both are subject to the same entry period.

The PGA TOUR Canada still has the right to balance the field size at qualifying sites by assigning any applicant, including members of the aforementioned tours whose applications are received before the entry deadline, to other sites as considered necessary.

Should each of the sites/fields reach the maximum number of players, extra applicants will be assigned as an alternate to their highest-ranked (i.e., first) site preference. Just as with site assignments, alternates will be assigned on a random basis and PGA TOUR Canada still has the right to balance the field size at qualifying sites by assigning any alternate to another site as considered necessary, irrespective of preference.

For players; while on the host facility property, players are expected to present a neat appearance in both clothing and personal grooming. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts, or shirts with no collar shall not be worn. Shorts are permitted only during the official practice round and the days prior; players will be mandated to wear long pants on official competition days (this also includes when using practice facilities on-site).

For caddies; while on the host facility property, caddies will need to wear either long pants or tailored solid-colored knee-length shorts or skirts. Blue jeans, cutoffs, T-shirts, or shirts with no collar shall not be worn. Smooth rubber sole shoes are required. Sandals, open-toe shoes, and golf shoes with traditional metal or soft spikes are prohibited.

While on host facility property during qualifying rounds, players and caddies are expected to carry themselves professionally. Have it in mind that PGA TOUR reserves the right to remove a player from the qualifying competition for non-competitiveness, conduct unbecoming of a professional by the player, or conduct unbecoming a professional by the player’s caddie.

Tips on How to Qualify for PGA Tour Canada

Any aspiring golfer can join the PGA Canada tour, as long as he or she has the skills to play golf at a professional level. If you are looking to become a professional golfer in Canada, consider these tips noted below.

Work with a Professional

Note that to become a professional golfer in Canada and participate in PGA Tour Canada, it is imperative you first hire the services of a professional golfer. A professional will teach you the right techniques used by professionals when playing the sport. Aside from that, he will make necessary changes to your swing to ensure it is better and more lethal.

Practice, Practice, Practice

To ensure that you become very perfect with your golf swing, you must practice it regularly. Professional golfers tend to invest so much time in hitting balls out of the bunkers and on the range. Don’t forget that regular practice would only make you a better golfer.

Always Remember To Warm Up

It is also important you create a warm-up routine you will use when you are playing in PGA Tour Canada tournaments. When you are playing in such tournaments, it is necessary to ensure that your warm-up routine can help you remain focused both physically and mentally.

Participate in Tournaments

Also, consider participating in some regional and local golf tournaments before going on to register for PGA Tour Canada. This will ensure that you get used to the pressure of tournament play. Regardless of how good you are at golf, you have to get used to the pressure of playing in a golf tournament. Don’t forget that pressure influences the way you play your game. When you feel pressured, you barely make the most out of your birdie opportunities.

Submit Your Application Early

Also, remember to fill out and turn in your application on time. Once you have submitted your application, make sure to pay all the required fees. After that, focus on landing among the top places in the qualifying rounds. By becoming a top 25 golfer after the very tasking qualifying rounds, you will get the opportunity to play on the PGA Tour Canada.

The PGA Canada golf Tour is a professional golf tournament that features the best upcoming golfers in the world. Have it in mind that the leading five-point earners at the end of each season get status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the following season. The primary mission of PGA Tour Canada is to deliver a PGA TOUR experience to its members, fans, volunteers, and partners.

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Greensburg's Mark Goetz finishes second at PGA Tour Canada Q-school event

He used to have long hair that curled out from beneath his hat and covered the back of his neck.

But Mark Goetz has been wearing his hair shorter since he turned professional.

While his barber will await his return for another trim, Goetz’s livelihood will soon be about cuts on a pro golf tour.

Goetz, a Greensburg native and West Virginia graduate, finished second at this week’s PGA Tour Canada Qualifying Tournament with four rounds in the 60s at RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Ala.

With a 18-under-par 270 at the 72-hole event, Goetz earned his card and exemption on the Tour through the midseason, roughly six events, until a “reshuffle” occurs. Success on the tour could change that status.

Goetz, 24, who turned pro last year, shot 68, 68, 66 to take the lead after three rounds. The champion of the qualifier is fully exempt for the season.

That honor went to Stephen Franken, whose closing 64 secured him the top spot at 19-under 269.

Goetz, who shot 68 in the final round and made 25 birdies in the tournament, played in the same event last year as an amateur and tied for 20th to earn conditional status.

His third round this time featured eight birdies — he also made eight in the second round — as he moved into double figures under par.

The long-hitting Goetz, who played prep golf at The Kiski School, has come a long way from his days as a member of the grounds crew at Hannastown, and an assistant club-fitter at Corsi’s Indoor Golf in Greensburg.

The stroke-play medalist before a throng of hometown fans at Oakmont Country Club in 2021, Goetz hopes to take the mini-tour route to the PGA Tour.

The Hannastown Golf Club member was the 2020-2021 Frank Fuhrer III Collegiate Player of the Year.

Congratulations to Mountaineer great Mark Goetz, who finished runner-up in the PGA Tour Canada Qualifying Tournament in Alabama! With his Top 10 finish, he earns an exemption for at least the first half of the 2023 PGA Tour Canada season! ▶️ https://t.co/YxeAZ8GOdZ #HailWV pic.twitter.com/nqEZ9ny7UN — WVU Golf (@WVUGolf) March 10, 2023

Back to back birdies on 9 & 10 for Mark Goetz to move to 10-under at Q-School pic.twitter.com/oZGPJ1icw0 — PGA TOUR Canada - Fortinet Cup (@PGATOURCanada) March 9, 2023

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at [email protected] .

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'The Turn': Go all-access at PGA TOUR Q-School

On the ground with three pga tour hopefuls at q-school’s final stage.

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Marcus Byrd strolled lightly down the fairway at Sawgrass Country Club during a practice round at PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry’s Final Stage. He spoke with an airy cadence, but the words suggested otherwise.

“You have four rounds to pretty much change your life,” Byrd said.

Byrd joins Dillon Board and Aldrich Potgieter as cast members of “The Turn: Q-School presented by Korn Ferry,” an inside-the-ropes docuseries set to stream Dec. 20 on PGATOUR.COM and YouTube. The show will immerse viewers across early-week preparation and 72 holes of competition (two rounds at each course) as Byrd, Board and Potgieter chase their first PGA TOUR cards.

The top five finishers and ties at Q-School’s Final Stage will earn 2024 PGA TOUR membership; the next 40 finishers and ties will earn guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour starts. Endless permutations of status-and-eligibility scenarios will unfold this week amidst windy conditions at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club.

Although it looks like one, with spectators, hundreds of volunteers, media and camera crews running around and banners flashing "Q-School presented by Korn Ferry," Final Stage is not your average PGA TOUR or Korn Ferry Tour event. It doesn’t feature the usual roster of PGA TOUR members in the top 125 of the FedExCup standings intermixed with some Monday qualifiers and sponsor exemptions. In fact, most of the players headed to TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club this week aren’t PGA TOUR members at all. At least not yet.

Players register for PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry

“I gave myself a timeline,” said Board, a native of Jacksonville, Florida. “If I’m not on Korn Ferry or PGA TOUR by the time I’m 29 or 30 – and I just turned 30 this year – then I’m done.

“I’m giving myself that, and then it’s time to, you know, move on, start a family, continue life in another direction.”

A mini-tour veteran after turning pro in 2016, Board has yet to make a start on the Korn Ferry Tour, playing the 2022 season on PGA TOUR Latinoamerica (with three made cuts in his nine starts) and qualifying for Final Stage after working his way up from First Stage in Abilene, Texas. This week provides far more than just a chance to save his career for the local product and Coastal Georgia alum, however – it’s the chance to fulfill his dream and represent his hometown.

“Being from Jacksonville, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” Board said of competing in THE PLAYERS Championship while driving up to TPC Sawgrass for a practice round at Final Stage. “I know it sounds weird; everyone dreams about playing the Masters, and trust me, I do, but with THE PLAYERS being in my backyard, all I’ve ever wanted to do is drive up this drive and just represent Jacksonville the best way I can.

“God has blessed me with being able to do this right here. Drive up to this clubhouse and represent Jacksonville and my family the best way I can. All you can do is smile.”

The journey from mini-tours to the PGA TOUR is onerous, a constant sink-or-swim battle fraught with uncertainty, no guaranteed contracts and no guaranteed pay for a week’s worth of work if a player misses a cut. It’s a journey that Byrd, the 26-year-old Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA) Tour member, is no stranger to. After turning professional in 2020, Byrd has been a staple on the APGA, a developmental circuit, living out of a suitcase at times to keep his career afloat.

But this season has been different. In addition to winning a record-setting four APGA events this season alone, Byrd was selected in February as the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption winner, an honor that goes each year to a golfer of color, giving Byrd a spot at this year’s Genesis Invitational and the chance the tee it up alongside tournament host Tiger Woods. He played back-to-back weeks on TOUR, competing the following week at The Honda Classic followed by two more TOUR starts later in the summer (Wells Fargo Championship and John Deere Classic).

Marcus Byrd wins APGA Tour Farmers Insurance Invitational

It felt like the perfect Cinderella story in the making for Byrd as he looks to ascend to professional golf’s highest level. Despite missing the cut at each of his TOUR appearances, he made it to Final Stage by advancing on the number at his Second Stage site at Dothan, Alabama, giving the Middle Tennessee State alum one final chance this season to make it to the PGA TOUR or earn guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Intermixed between the journeymen, TOUR veterans and players looking to break through, Final Stage offers another class of players: the young rising stars. One layer of direct eligibility into Final Stage: the top five players on the PGA TOUR University Ranking, the path that allowed RSM Classic winner Ludvig Åberg to earn his TOUR card and full eligibility. Final Stage offers another outlet for these young players to shine and stake their claim, and Aldrich Potgieter has done so in spades.

Aldrich Potgieter tests a new shaft on the range

The 19-year-old South African first popped into headlines by winning the 2022 Amateur Championship, becoming the second-youngest player to do so at the 127-year-old event, securing him spots in this year’s Masters and U.S. Open, where he made the cut to finish T64. He competed at last year’s Open Championship as well and made two other TOUR starts this season, competing at the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday and the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

Potgieter made it to Final Stage after earning medalist honors at Second Stage in Valdosta, Georgia, finishing four strokes clear of the field. With guaranteed Korn Ferry starts for 2024, the young phenom’s light continues to shine bright as he takes on TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club seeking another notch on his belt: full status on the PGA TOUR.

Amanda Cashman is on staff at the PGA TOUR. She is a USC Trojan whose life missions include scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef and attending every major music festival in the world.

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PGA Tour Canada Q-School: Who earned status?

129 players earned status to play PGA Tour Canada this summer at three qualifying sites. See who got their card and will be teeing it up this year. ( Bold denotes Canadian )

British Columbia Qualifying Tournament – May 5-9, 2014 – Crown Isle Resort and Golf Community (Courtenay, BC)

Earned Exempt Status:

1 David Bradshaw 65 62 71 73 271 T2 Adam Long 74 69 68 68 279 T2 Timothy Madigan 72 71 69 67 279 T4 Greg Machtaler 68 69 74 70 281 T4 Benjamin Silverman 69 72 71 69 281 T6 Brendan Gielow 70 68 73 71 282 T6 Matthew Smith 69 70 73 70 282 T6 Chris Williams 70 70 75 67 282 T9 Ryan McCormick 71 71 67 74 283 T9 Michael Schachner 72 69 70 72 283 T11 Ted Brown 70 74 74 66 284 T11 Adam Cornelson 68 71 76 69 284 T11 Chris McCartin 69 69 75 71 284 T14 Matthew Galloway 72 71 72 70 285 T14 Kazuo Hoffman 74 72 70 69 285 T14 Jay Myers 74 69 71 71 285 T14 Jordan Walor 74 69 72 70 285 T18 Brad Clapp 74 69 73 70 286*

* = won six-for-one playoff

Earned Conditional Status:

T18 Justin Bardgett 72 68 73 73 286 T18 Sean Dale 69 75 75 67 286 T18 Philip Francis 73 70 77 66 286 T18 Nate McCoy 69 69 75 73 286 T18 Russell Surber 67 71 75 73 286 T24 Brien Davis 72 72 73 70 287 T24 Blake Snyder 71 69 70 77 287 T26 Mario Clemens 71 70 73 74 288 T26 Garrett Driver 67 72 78 71 288 T26 Justin Peters 72 68 78 70 288 T26 Jake Sarnoff 71 72 75 70 288 T30 Timothy Bordeaux 70 73 73 73 289 T30 Riley Fleming 73 76 72 68 289 T30 James Love 68 73 74 74 289 T30 Cameron White 71 69 73 76 289 T30 Paul Woodbury 71 71 73 74 289 T35 Weston Eklund 70 75 73 72 290 T35 Mitch Evanecz 74 70 72 74 290 T35 James Seymour 73 74 68 75 290 T38 Brett Cairns 74 70 72 75 291 T38 Braeden Cryderman 68 78 73 72 291 T38 Jay Gehl II 74 70 72 75 291 T38 Kevin Stinson 71 73 82 65 291

California Qualifying Tournament – May 7-11, 2014 – Oak Valley Golf and Country Club (Beaumont, CA)

1 Daniel Miernicki 66 72 71 64 273 T2 Alexis Anghert 65 71 66 73 275 T2 Greg Eason 69 66 68 72 275 T2 Sam Ryder 69 71 67 68 275 5 Clayton Rask 71 66 70 69 276 6 Seth Fair 67 70 69 74 280 7 Joseph Doramus 72 73 66 70 281 T8 Jon McDonald 75 68 69 70 282 T8 Jay Vandeventer 68 71 71 72 282 T8 Alan Wagner 67 73 72 70 282 T11 Peter Campbell 67 69 75 72 283 T11 Samuel Cyr 72 72 67 72 283 T11 Robert Karlsson 72 67 70 74 283 T11 Charlie Winegardner 69 68 76 70 283 15 Tyler Ostrovsky 72 68 71 73 284 T16 Hunter Hamrick 71 69 71 74 285* T16 JP Brown 72 71 72 70 285* T16 Devin Daniels 73 73 67 72 285*

* = denotes won six-for-three playoff

T16 Drew Evans 69 72 74 70 285 T16 Bryan Bergna 72 69 70 74 285 T16 Jack Newman 73 73 72 67 285 T22 John Catlin 74 70 71 71 286 T22 Jeff Corr 72 69 73 72 286 T22 Geoff Gonzalez 68 74 73 71 286 T22 Mike Lavery 72 69 71 74 286 T22 Trent Redfern 67 71 76 72 286 T22 Drew Stoltz 72 71 68 75 286 T28 Julian Etulain 73 73 68 73 287 T28 Ben Fletcher 76 68 68 75 287 T28 Robert Hudson 71 75 69 72 287 T28 Eddie Olson 74 71 71 71 287 T28 Beau Schoolcraft 69 77 74 67 287 T28 Joshua Stone 70 76 69 72 287 T34 Zenon Brown 74 70 70 74 288 T34 Steve Carney 70 80 71 67 288 T34 Dakota Duerr 74 73 69 72 288 T34 Justin Kim 69 72 74 73 288 T34 Spencer Lawson 72 71 71 74 288 T34 Kyle Morris 74 71 72 71 288 T40 Ben Briscoe 71 71 76 71 289 T40 Kristian Caparros 70 69 71 79 289 T40 Khristopher Niess 75 70 73 71 289 T40 David Sanchez 71 70 75 73 289 T40 Joshua Wooding 75 70 73 71 289

Florida Qualifying Tournament – April 14-18, 2014 – Reunion Golf Resort and Community (Reunion, FL)

1 Jordan Krantz 74 75 71 66 286 2 Ryan Brehm 72 73 71 72 288 3 Paul Cormack 73 79 70 67 289 4 Dan McCarthy 74 71 72 73 290 5 Kelvin Day 75 76 70 70 291 T6 Jeff Dennis 72 76 71 73 292 T6 Richard McDonald 74 74 70 74 292 T6 Brad Miller 73 71 77 71 292 T6 Christopher Wolfe 74 77 72 69 292 T6 Bruce Woodall 77 71 71 73 292 T11 David Holmes 72 73 76 72 293 T11 Immu Korvenmaa 75 73 73 72 293 T13 Donald Preston 75 76 69 74 294 T13 Travis Ross 75 75 72 72 294 T15 Paul Ferrier 76 77 73 69 295* T15 Creighton Honeck 76 72 76 71 295* T15 Clark Klaasen 70 74 78 73 295* T15 Andrew Noto 74 74 72 75 295*

* = denotes won five-for-four playoff

Earned conditional status:

T15 Christian Westhorpe 70 78 72 75 295 T20 Daniel Charen 76 78 70 72 296 T20 Matt Harmon 74 75 71 76 296 T20 Hunter Howell 74 77 73 72 296 T20 Cody Paladino 78 74 71 73 296 T20 Chris Ross 75 77 75 69 296 T20 Wills Smith 76 76 74 70 296 T20 Jared Steger 73 75 75 73 296 T27 David Byrne 78 74 72 73 297 T27 Linus Gillgren 74 83 69 71 297 T27 Shun Yat Hak 77 72 71 77 297 T30 Evan Beirne 75 71 74 78 298 T30 Krister Eriksson 75 76 73 74 298 T30 Evan Harmeling 76 79 71 72 298 T30 Mark Hoffman 75 75 75 73 298 T30 Brant Peaper 75 76 72 75 298 T35 Peter Campbell 71 75 76 77 299 T35 J.T. Griffin 75 78 75 71 299 T35 Jonathan Hodge 73 74 79 73 299 T35 Alexander Rosen 71 75 76 77 299 T39 Tyler Brown 80 72 75 73 300 T39 Matthew Ceravolo 79 72 74 75 300 T39 Chad Gates 81 77 71 71 300 T39 Jesse Speirs 77 79 72 72 300 T39 Patrick Wilson 73 79 76 72 300