History
History of
PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry
PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry dates to 1965, with sometimes twice-yearly events providing access to PGA TOUR open qualifiers. Upon the introduction of the all-exempt tour in 1983, Q-School was contested once a year and granted competitors the opportunity to earn direct access into PGA TOUR events. Over the years, Q-School grew to its current state of four separate stages – Pre-Qualifying, First Stage, Second Stage, Final Stage.
With the introduction of the Korn Ferry Tour (originally the Ben Hogan Tour) in 1990, Q-School provided access to the Korn Ferry Tour for a certain number of finishers who missed the cutoff mark for PGA TOUR cards. From 2013 through 2022, Q-School was known as the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying Tournament, and only awarded varying levels of Korn Ferry Tour membership. Beginning with 2023, Q-School will be known as PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry and award PGA TOUR cards to the top-five finishers (and ties), with additional finishers earning varying levels of Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas membership.
Tony Finau
The Utah native advanced through 2013 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T3 at Final Stage to earn guaranteed starts. He earned his first PGA TOUR card via The 25 in 2014, including a victory at the Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae. He has carved out a successful TOUR career, including a victory at the 2016 Puerto Rico Open, and has retained his TOUR card ever since.
Justin Thomas
The Kentucky native advanced through 2013 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T32 at Final Stage to earn guaranteed starts. He took advantage with a strong 2014 Korn Ferry Tour campaign, earning his card through The 25 and then winning a Finals event, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. The Alabama alum has proceeded to a strong TOUR career including 13 TOUR wins through 2020. He has retained his TOUR card ever since.
Patton Kizzire
The Alabama native advanced through 2014 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T21 at Final Stage to earn guaranteed starts. He earned his first PGA TOUR card via The 25 in 2015, producing an impressive campaign that included victories at the REX Hospital Open and Utah Championship, and resulted in Player of the Year honors. He has proceeded to a successful TOUR career that has included victories at the 2017 Mayakoba Golf Classic and 2018 Sony Open in Hawaii. He has kept his TOUR card ever since.
Sam Burns
The Louisiana native advanced through 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T10 at Final Stage to secure guaranteed starts. He earned his first PGA TOUR card via The 25 in 2018, including a victory at the Club Car Championship at The Landings Club, where he closed with three consecutive birdies to defeat Roberto Castro by a stroke. In 2021, Sam secured his first PGA TOUR win at the Valspar Championship in Tampa, Florida.
Cameron Champ
The California native advanced through 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T16 at Final Stage to earn guaranteed starts. He earned his first PGA TOUR card via The 25 in 2018, including a victory at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank. The Texas A&M alum has proceeded to a strong TOUR career including victories at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship and 2019 Safeway Open. He has retained his TOUR card ever since.
Scottie Scheffler
The Texan via New Jersey advanced through 2018 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing T34 at Final Stage – including dramatic up-and-downs on the 71st and 72nd holes – to narrowly secure guaranteed starts. He took advantage with a sparkling 2019 Korn Ferry Tour campaign, including victories at the Evans Scholars Invitational and Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, comfortably finishing inside The 25 and earning Player of the Year honors. He has maintained his TOUR card ever since.
Sungjae Im
The South Korea native advanced through 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Q-School, finishing solo second at Final Stage – including a third-round 60 – to secure guaranteed starts. He earned his first PGA TOUR card via The 25 in 2018, producing a scintillating campaign that included victories at The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay and WinCo Foods Portland Open, en route to Player of the Year honors. He earned his first TOUR title at The Honda Classic in 2020. He has retained his TOUR card ever since.
