Key Highlights of the PGA TOUR Q-School Second Stage

The Second Stage of the PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry marks a critical juncture for aspiring golfers. It serves as a pivotal step towards earning a 2025 PGA TOUR membership or securing conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas. Here’s what to know:

Overview

• Event Structure: Five competitions are held across various U.S. locations, with approximately 15% of the field from each site advancing to the Final Stage.

• Final Stage Outcomes: Top five finishers and ties at the Final Stage will receive 2025 PGA TOUR cards. All participants reaching the Final Stage gain at least conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour.

• Guaranteed Starts:

  • Medalists at each Second Stage site earn eight guaranteed starts on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour.

  • The top 25 finishers and ties at the Final Stage secure 12 guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour starts.

  • The next 15 finishers earn eight guaranteed starts, while an additional 20 players gain exemption on PGA TOUR Americas through the 2025 Latin America Swing.

Notable Second Stage Locations and Players

1. The Landings Golf & Athletic Club – Deer Creek (Savannah, Georgia)

• Ryan Blaum: Duke alum with 115 PGA TOUR starts.

• Morgan Hoffmann: Made a full return in 2024 after battling muscular dystrophy.

• Spencer Levin & Steve Wheatcroft: Experienced PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry veterans.

2. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail – Highlands/Marshwood (Dothan, Alabama)

• John Augenstein: Former first team All-American and 2019 U.S. Amateur runner-up.

• Gustav Frimodt: TCU standout, ranked No. 9 on the 2024 PGA TOUR University list.

• Sean O’Hair: Four-time PGA TOUR winner with 433 career starts.

3. Valencia Country Club (Valencia, California)

• Davis Bryant: Winner of the 2024 Colorado Open.

• Jimmy Gunn: Scottish golfer with 110 career PGA TOUR starts.

• Ryo Ishikawa: 20-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour.

• Takumi Kanaya: Former No. 1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

4. Hammock Beach Conservatory (Palm Coast, Florida)

• Bryan Bigley: Veteran of 77 Korn Ferry Tour starts.

• James Hart du Preez: Known for his long drives, competing on the Sunshine Tour.

• David Kocher: Two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner with a 59 at the 2023 Albertsons Boise Open.

• Julian Suri: DP World Tour winner, once ranked No. 60 globally.

5. Kinderlou Forest Golf Club (Valdosta, Georgia)

• Anders Albertson: Two-time Korn Ferry Tour graduate.

• George Bryan IV: Popular for his “Bryan Bros Golf” videos.

• Timmy Crawford: Recent Illinois grad noted for his par-4 ace.

• Neal Shipley: Low amateur at the 2024 Masters and U.S. Open, joining Viktor Hovland in achieving this rare feat.

Final Stage Details

• Dates: December 12-15, 2024.

• Courses: TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club in northeast Florida.

• Importance: Advancing through the Second Stage is crucial as it secures status and can lead to PGA TOUR membership, making it a “job interview” for aspiring professionals.

Looking Ahead

The path from Second Stage to PGA TOUR stardom is arduous but achievable, as shown by the nine players who advanced through last year’s Second Stage and earned 2025 PGA TOUR cards. With professional golf's depth and quality continually expanding, this year’s competition promises more compelling narratives and rising talent.