PGA Tour Cards 2026: 5 Rising Stars Earn Their Spots
Final Self-Check – Golf News Summary
This summary covers details from the provided text regarding two distinct golf events: the Grant Thornton Invitational and the Q-School Finals.
1. Grant Thornton Invitational (PGA & LPGA mixed Event)
* Location: Naples,Florida (Tiburón Golf Club)
* Format: Modified Four-Ball (each player drives,then alternate play with the better score recorded).
* Winners: lauren Coughlin and Andrew Novak
* Winning Score: 28 under par
* Winning Round: 9-under 63 in the final round.
* Runner-Ups: Three teams finished three shots behind the winners, including Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, and Jennifer Kupcho.
* overall Tone: Described as a “feel-good affair” with low tension. A “fluffy,wallet-padding” event.
2. Q-school Finals (PGA Tour Qualifying)
* Location: Ponte Vedra Beach,florida (TPC Sawgrass – Valley Course)
* Importance: Determines which players earn their PGA Tour cards for the following season.
* Format Change: Only the top 5 finishers earn cards, unlike previous years where the top 5 and ties qualified. This made qualification considerably harder.
* Notable Players & Outcomes:
* Camilo Villegas: Missed a short birdie putt on the 18th hole, finishing one stroke out of a playoff.
* Spencer Levin: Struggled in the final round (1-over) after a strong Saturday, finishing in a tie for 13th.
* Ben Kohles: Experienced a dramatic collapse after penalties on the 8th and 9th holes (double bogeys on both).
* Overall Tone: Described as a “dogfight” with “heartache and heroics.” The math is “unforgiving” and “crueler than ever.”
3. Q-School Finals – Qualified Players
The following table details the players who successfully earned their PGA Tour cards through Q-School Finals. (The article only mentions AJ Ewart, so the table is incomplete based on the provided text.)
| Player | Age | Nationality | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Ewart | 26 | Canadian | Son of a teaching professional. |
| Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Information not provided in the text |
| Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Information not provided in the text |
| Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Information not provided in the text |
| Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | information not provided in the text |
Key Contrast:
The article highlights the stark contrast between the relaxed, exhibition-style Grant Thornton Invitational and the high-stakes, pressure-filled Q-School Finals. It emphasizes that these are fundamentally different experiences within the world of professional golf.