The first stage of PGA Tour Q-School wrapped up last week, spanning 14 sites across the country. Nearly 300 players advanced to the second stage \u2014 and plenty of recognizable names didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
We recap every site below, highlighting medalists, clutch rounds, and the players who kept their dreams alive (and those who didn\u2019t).<\/p>\n
(If you read all 3,000 words of this, seek help immediately.)<\/p>\n
Texas \u2014 Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club<\/p>\n
(Par 72 \u2013 7,414 yards \u2013 75.8 rating \u2013 133 slope)<\/p>\n
Medalist: Matthew Watkins (-24)
Watkins cruised to an eight-shot win, finishing 15 clear of the cut line \u2014 about as stress-free as Q-School gets. The Rockwall native had the local edge being from the area, but no PGA Tour-sanctioned starts before this.<\/p>\n
Cut Line: -9<\/p>\n
Clutch Performance:
Dawson Armstrong \u2014 Known for late-stage surges, Armstrong started the final round five off the number, then went bogey-free with a six-under 66, finishing with three straight birdies to advance.<\/p>\n
Advancing:<\/p>\n
Curtis Thompson \u2014 The veteran of 170 KFT starts (and brother of Lexi) birdied three of his final five holes to make it on the number.Turk Pettit \u2014 The 2021 NCAA champ (Clemson) and former LIV player finished T6 after a steady week.Kieren Vincent \u2014 Another former LIV member who advanced despite a closing 73.<\/p>\n
Notable Misses:<\/p>\n
Jazz Janewattananond \u2014 Jazz turned pro at age 14 and once was ranked 38th in the world, the Thai pro has struggled the last few years. Grant Hirschman \u2014 The veteran KFT member (117 career starts)\u00a0 missed by one after a closing 73.Clay Feagler \u2014 The Pepperdine alum withdrew after an opening 74, continuing a tough stretch. Feagler finished 145th in KFT points this season.<\/p>\n
Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Kansas \u2014 Sand Creek Station GC<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 7,400 yards \u2013 76.0 rating \u2013 144 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Charlie Crockett (-16) Cut Line: -7<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Callum McNeil \u2014 The Scottish native, who turned pro after encouragement from Hal Sutton, finished T4.Luke Gannon \u2014 The longtime grinder and former janitor at his father\u2019s church moves on after another solid week.<\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Chase Hanna \u2014 The Kansas product who has 180 starts on the European and DP World Tour withdrew late after being +2 with five holes to play.Austin Lemieux \u2014 Mario Lemieux\u2019s son saw his week undone by a third-round 76. (Ironically, a 66 would have been good enough) Vince India \u2014 India holds a Q-school record that, in my opinion, will never be broken. He once made it through both first and second stage in six consecutive seasons. But he hasn\u2019t been able to find form since returning from his suspension for gambling. <\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Mississippi \u2014 Lake Caroline GC<\/p>\n (Par 70 \u2013 6,835 yards \u2013 73.2 rating \u2013 123 slope)<\/p>\n Co-Medalists: Nic Cassidy & Hayden Wood (-23) Cut Line: -9<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Ryan Cole \u2014 One of the best mini-tour players in the country, Monday-qualified into multiple KFT events this year.Zander Winston \u2014 A Dakotas Tour legend who had no trouble advancing.Johnnie Greco \u2014 Advanced on the number after a final-round 69. Greco got through all three stages last season but struggled on KFT. <\/p>\n Notable Miss:<\/p>\n Michael Arnaud \u2014 The 44-year-old former KFT winner shot 66 but fell three short.<\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n New Mexico \u2014 UNM Championship Course<\/p>\n (Par 71 \u2013 7,555 yards \u2013 75.2 rating \u2013 134 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Corey Pereira Cut Line: -4<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Jake Staiano \u2014 Served a betting suspension in 2023 but rebounded with a strong Americas Tour season and now moves on to Second Stage. Ryan Hall \u2014 The \u201cMonday Q King\u201d shot 66 on Sunday to get through by two. Hall has a total of 13 successful Monday Q\u2019s between KFT and PGA Tours. <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Ryan Ruffels \u2014 The Australian prodigy who played 18 PGA Tour events before he turned 19, lost KFT status in 2022 and has concentrated mostly on YouTube since then. Mitchell Schow \u2014 Tony Finau\u2013backed player from Utah finished 53rd. Read my story on his journey and how the Finau Foundation has kept his career going here.<\/a> Leaderboard \u203a<\/a>Nebraska \u2014 Wilderness Ridge CC<\/p>\n (Par 71 \u2013 7,108 yards \u2013 74.9 rating \u2013 135 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Travis Smyth (-18) Cut Line: -9<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Brady Calkins \u2014 The Dakotas Tour legend grabbed the final spot with a closing 67.Rayhan Thomas \u2014 Thomas finished 88th in KFT points this year, but missed a vital start at the end of the season when the Tour made a mistake in the priority rankings.\u00a0Hunter Eichhorn \u2014 The Michigan native from the U.P. continues his steady rise. Read about his amazing journey in an article I wrote in 2023 here.<\/a> <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Tommy Kuhl \u2014 Illinois All-American missed by two despite a 69. After a spectacular Senior season for the Illini in 2023 Kuhl has struggled as a pro. Scott Stevens \u2014 \u201cCardboard\u201d from the Bryan Bros\u2019 crew finished +2.<\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Alabama \u2014 Magnolia Grove Crossing<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 7,243 yards \u2013 74.7 rating \u2013 143 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Deven Patel (-24) Cut Line: -12<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Marcus Plunkett \u2014 Army veteran and West Point grad breezed through by four. He had KFT status last season, but wasn\u2019t able to retain his card. Grant Leaver \u2014 At 39, made his first Q-School run in years and snuck through.<\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Jacob Bergeron \u2014 The former LSU prodigy fell two short after a closing 76. This season Bergeron played three Americas Tour events, missing the cut in all three. The prior season he made just two of 21 cuts on the KFT. Keenan Huskey and Garrett Reband \u2014 Both former KFT players came up short.<\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Florida \u2014 The Preserve at Ironhorse (West Palm Beach)<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 7,322 yards \u2013 75.5 rating \u2013 145 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Andrew Kozan (-16)<\/p>\n \u00a0The former Auburn star with 89 career KFT starts posted 67-68-68-69 for a steady win.<\/p>\n Cut Line: -9<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Willie Mack II \u2014 The Flint, MI native keeps grinding for another Tour shot.Shun Yat Hak \u2014 The former No.1 junior in the world advanced with a 67. Hak turned pro after just one season at Georgia Tech but hasn\u2019t had much success. Still only 31, he looks to fulfill the immense promise. Cristian DiMarco \u2014 Chris DiMarco\u2019s son, who putts left-handed and hits every other shot right-handed, finished on the number.<\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Olin Browne Jr. \u2014 A Round 3 78 doomed him. Billy Kennerly \u2014 Injuries continue to stall his comeback. <\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Indiana \u2014 Champions Pointe GC<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 7,174 yards \u2013 74.9 rating \u2013 141 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: RJ Manke (-19) Cut Line: -11<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Kevin Hall \u2014 The 43-year-old who is completely deaf has won numerous times on mini-tours across the country, including this season the APGA. The OSU alum turned pro in 2002. JJ Grey \u2014 Keeps honoring his late friend Sam Asbury through his play. Read the full article about Sam and how JJ keeps his legacy alive here.<\/a> Dylan Meyer \u2014 The All-American from the University of\u00a0 Illinois. Meyer left playing full time to run the golf course that he grew up on. Despite that, he still has the game, evidenced by a final-round 66 to advance. <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Tyler Strafaci \u2014 The 2020 U.S. Am champ missed by seven.Nick Bienz \u2014 The viral \u201cbeer-and-birdie\u201d guy from Rocket Mortgage Monday Q shot 79 on the final day after starting the round on the number. <\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n North Carolina \u2014 Bermuda Run CC<\/p>\n (Par 71 \u2013 6,962 yards \u2013 74.1 rating \u2013 139 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Brandon Berry (-19) Cut Line: -5<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Jared Wolfe \u2014 Two-time KFT winner shot 67 Sunday to move on.Fred Biondi \u2014 The 2023 NCAA champ bounced back with a closing 66. The pro game has been a struggle for the former Florida Gator but he has shown signs of turning things around of late. <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Taylor Funk \u2014 Fred\u2019s son struggled, finishing +5.Michael Sweeney \u2014 The \u201crapping golfer\u201d missed after a rough week. Read about his amazing journey from \u201cshoveling shit\u201d to multi-time mini-tour winner here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Texas \u2014 Sugartree GC<\/p>\n (Par 71 \u2013 6,824 yards \u2013 74.1 rating \u2013 137 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Sangha Park (-18) Cut Line: -9<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n Sam Bennett \u2014 The 2022 U.S. Am champ rebounded from a rough KFT season, finishing two inside the line at home. In 2024, Bennett finished just one spot outside of earning a PGA Tour card. <\/p>\n Notable Miss:<\/p>\n William Moll \u2014 The Vanderbilt product finished five outside the cut.<\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Florida \u2014 Country Club of Ocala<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 6,920 yards \u2013 74.1 rating \u2013 140 slope)<\/p>\n Co-Medalists: Ivan Camilo Ramirez & Luis Gagne (-16) Cut Line: -7<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n MJ Daffue \u2014 The South African and former PGA Tour member shot steady 70s to move on. This season, Daffue was unable to fulfill his PGA Tour medical and also struggled on the KFT. Joey Garber \u2014 The Georgia Bulldog and 149-time KFT starter continues his comeback.Muzzy Donohue \u2014 Great name, better golf \u2014 through to Second Stage.<\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Andy Svoboda \u2014 The longtime grinder who has nearly 300 starts combined on KFT and PGA Tour, birdied his final two but fell one short. He is currently a pro at Butler National in the Chicago AreaBeau Titsworth\u2014 The best name in golf fell three short.Andy Zhang\u2014After a great amateur career the pro game has been a real struggle since turning pro in 2018. This season Zhang played on the Americas Tour, making five of 10 cuts and finishing 80th in points.\u00a0Erik Barnes \u2014\u00a0 A long-time mini-tour grinder, Barnes was a PGA Tour member last year. He nearly won in Puerto Rico, losing in a playoff. However, he unfortunately has battled issues with the driver and has really struggled. This season he didn\u2019t make a cut in 11 events and didn\u2019t break 70. Those struggles continued at Q-school. After opening with an 84 he WD during the second round.\u00a0<\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n New Jersey \u2014 Galloping Hill GC<\/p>\n (Par 71 \u2013 6,856 yards \u2013 73.4 rating \u2013 134 slope)<\/p>\n Co-Medalists: David Pastore & Braden Shattuck (-17) The 33-year-old Pastore played six Americas events this season, making three cuts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cut Line: -8<\/p>\n Clutch Performances: Advancing:<\/p>\n Jhared Hack \u2014 The beloved grinder shot 67 to finish T3. Read about his story and a playoff he had with Mark Baldwin here. <\/a>Michael Miller \u2014 Veteran of 70 KFT starts moves on after a T9 finish. Last season Miller advanced to the final round of European Tour Q-school. PGA Tour member Brandon Matthews helped save Miller\u2019s career a few years ago with an invite to his pro-am that Miller won after spending the nights in his car that week. <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n James Piot \u2014 The former U.S. Am champ couldn\u2019t keep momentum after a hot start. After serving his suspension for playing on LIV for two years and getting over some injuries, Piot has started to play well. He will have Americas Tour status next season after a Monday Q jumpstarted his season there. Albin Choi \u2014 The Canadian talent fell back to +5. Choi was one of the best college players in North Carolina State history despite losing his mom his freshman year in college. <\/p>\n Leaderboard \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n Arizona \u2014 Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC<\/p>\n (Par 72 \u2013 7,546 yards \u2013 75.2 rating \u2013 138 slope)<\/p>\n Medalist: Tyler Leach (-22) Cut Line: -12<\/p>\n Clutch Performance: Advancing:<\/p>\n KK Limbhasut \u2014 The Thai pro made five KFT cuts this season. He is the ultimate grinder, playing anywhere worldwide where he can get a start. He recently had a runner-up finish on the All Thailand TourMichael Feagles \u2014 Illinois alum advanced with help from a 63 of his own. Feagles had KFT status in 2023 and has played really well on mini-tours and at state opens since losing his status. <\/p>\n Notable Misses:<\/p>\n Chase Johnson\u2014 The former Kent State standout qualified for the U.S. Open this year and once again had a great season on the APGA Tour after winning player of the year in 2023 and 2024. A final round 67 left Johnson two shots short of getting through.\u00a0Brandon Harkins\u2014 The former PGA Tour member and veteran of the KFT struggled all season and those continued at Q-school. Mark Baldwin wrote about playing with him here.\u00a0<\/a>Patrick Flavin \u2014 A Monday Q juggernaut\u00a0 and great dude, Flavin shot under par all four days, but his 10-under was two strokes shy. <\/p>\n
The 2024 Mizzou grad continued his breakout summer, following a $70,000 run on the Dakotas Tour with a medal here.<\/p>\n
Joseph Winslow \u2014 Started five off the number, then fired a bogey-free 67 (second-lowest of the day) to sneak through by one.<\/p>\n
Cassidy\u2019s 58\u201362 stretch over Rounds 2 and 3 was outrageous \u2014 120 strokes in two rounds under Q-School pressure.
Wood, an Oklahoma State alum, closed with four straight rounds of 65 or better.<\/p>\n
Trevor Lampson \u2014 Began the final round five off the number, then opened with six straight birdies en route to a 64, finishing two inside the line.<\/p>\n
Pereira\u2019s comeback to golf following the death of his wife, Leah, has been remarkable. Just months after her passing in June, he Monday-qualified for a PGA Tour event \u2014 and now adds medalist honors here.<\/p>\n
Jeevan Sihota \u2014 Started on the number, opened with three bogeys and a double, then birdied 17 and 18 to advance. #stones<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old Aussie and Asian Tour veteran birdied three of his last four holes to win. Smyth played the first three LIV events when the league started in 2021.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luke Gutschewski \u2014 Son of PGA Tour vet Scott Gutschewski, Luke went bogey-free with a 64, four birdies in his last six holes, to advance. It was no surprise to see, as the Iowa State alum gained status on the Americas Tour after a successful Monday Q.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The University of Virginia senior (still amateur) shot 69-65-64-66 to dominate. If he advances from Second Stage, he\u2019ll have a big decision about turning pro.<\/p>\n
Eric Boutwell \u2014 The Montevallo DII grad birdied two of his last four to shoot 67 and make it on the number.<\/p>\n
Domenico Geminiani \u2014 A Florida mini-tour regular \u2014 and pro pickleball player \u2014 birdied 17 and eagled 18 to sneak through.<\/p>\n
The Pepperdine alum shot 65 on day one and closed strong to win by one.<\/p>\n
Danny Fisher \u2014 Four off the number with six holes left, then birdied five of six to get through by two. Fisher played just nine Americas Tour events this year but still managed to finish 45th in points.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Berry bounced back after a really unfortunate finish to his KFT season. At the second to last event, Berry played the wrong ball late in the second round, which resulted in him missing the cut. It left him 76th in points and just one spot short of full status for 2026. However, he bounced back well, winning the stage by five strokes.<\/p>\n
Carter Graf \u2014 Fired a front-nine 30 en route to a 66 and got through on the number.<\/p>\n
Raised in South Korea, Park learned golf in simulators while his parents worked nights. He then was accepted to K.J. Choi\u2019s foundation and mentored by the major champion on his way to pro golf.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Johnny De Los Reyes \u2014 Needed something special in the final round \u2014 and he delivered a bogey-free 63 to advance on the number.<\/p>\n
Ramirez (Texas Tech) and Gagne (LSU) both handled Ocala\u2019s tight fairways with ease.<\/p>\n
Cole Anderson \u2014 Closed 66\u201364 to coast through, the best final 36-hole score by four, to easily advance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shattuck\u2019s recovery from a back injury after a 2021 car accident remains one of golf\u2019s best comeback stories. The Philly pro had to remake his golf swing to take pressure off his back after suffering two herniated discs in the accident.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Jimmy Jones & Michael Graboyes \u2014 Both birdied their final three holes to advance on the number \u2014 bumping eight players out.<\/p>\n
The Marquette alum shot 68-66-67-65 to win by three and keep his strong 2025 season rolling.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Walters \u2014 The longtime Asher Tour player who turned pro after a season at a community college came into the final round one outside the number. A nine birdie, bogey-free, 63 in the final round, the best score of the day by two added up to a trip to second stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n