Michael Thorbjornsen earns PGA TOUR card as No. 1 player in PGA TOUR University Class of 2024

CARLSBAD, California – Michael Thorbjornsen has officially secured his PGA TOUR card as the No. 1 player in the PGA TOUR University Class of 2024. Following his four-year career at Stanford, Thorbjornsen is set to embark on a professional career, eligible for all open, Full-Field PGA TOUR events for the remainder of the 2024 season and the 2025 season.

Key Highlights:

• Academic and Athletic Journey:

  • Thorbjornsen completed his collegiate career at Stanford, highlighted by three victories over the past two years.
  • He made cuts in four professional events, including a notable fourth-place finish at the 2022 Travelers Championship.

• PGA TOUR University Impact:

  • Thorbjornsen praised the PGA TOUR University program for providing a clear pathway to professional golf, incentivizing student-athletes to complete their college education.

• Challenges and Comeback:

  • The 22-year-old began the 2023-24 season sidelined by a stress fracture in his back, missing the entire fall campaign.
  • He returned to competition in February, gradually reclaiming the No. 1 spot after a victory at the Cabo Collegiate and five consecutive top-10 finishes.

• Final NCAA Championship Performance:

  • Despite Stanford missing the cut and Thorbjornsen finishing with rounds of 74-75-78, he secured the top spot in PGA TOUR University due to consistent performances and Georgia Tech’s Christo Lamprecht’s early exit.

Future Plans:

• Upcoming Events:

  • Thorbjornsen plans to participate in U.S. Open Final Qualifying on June 3 at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, New Jersey.
  • He is eligible for the Rocket Mortgage Classic (June 27-30) and may receive sponsor exemptions into events like the Memorial Tournament (June 6-9) and Travelers Championship (June 20-23).

• Joining Esteemed Company:

  • Thorbjornsen follows in the footsteps of previous PGA TOUR University No. 1 players like Ludvig Åberg (2023), Pierceson Coody (2022), and John Pak (2021).
  • Åberg, the first to earn PGA TOUR membership through PGA TOUR University, has since achieved notable successes, including winning the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters and competing in the Ryder Cup.

Thorbjornsen's Perspective:

• Mentorship and Rivalry:
  • Thorbjornsen looks up to Ludvig Åberg but is also motivated to surpass his achievements.
  • He acknowledges the importance of daily improvement and competition in his journey to professional success.

PGA TOUR University Class of 2024:

• Final Rankings:
  • The complete class rankings, determining Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas membership, will be finalized after the NCAA Championship’s final round.

GOLF Channel will broadcast live coverage of the NCAA Championship’s final round and subsequent match play, providing fans a chance to follow the concluding moments of collegiate golf's premier event.