Top-ranked college star can earn Tour card at Sony Open — here’s how
The top-ranked college player could secure his PGA Tour card this week in Hawaii.
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Luke Clanton isn’t a full-time PGA Tour pro yet, but, at this week’s Sony Open, the top-ranked amateur can ensure he has a spot waiting for him when his Florida State career ends.
The 21-year-old picked up 17 PGA Tour University Accelerated points last summer thanks to four top-10 finishes, including two second-place finishes — and the 20-point mark guarantees him a PGA Tour card whenever he decides to turn pro. Clanton, who is playing the Sony Open on a sponsor exemption, can pick up those three critical points with a top-five finish in Hawaii. He will get two points for a top-10 finish and one point if he makes the cut but finishes outside the top 10.
The Florida State junior had a 2024 to remember.
Clanton led the Seminoles to the 2024 NCAA Championship, where they fell to Auburn 3-2. Clanton then took his talents to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. He finished T-41 and nearly tracked down Neil Shipley for low amateur honors.
Sponsorship exemptions followed in the summer as Clanton finished T-10 at the Rocket Mortage, T-2 at the John Deere, fifth at the Wyndham Championship, and T-2 at the RSM Classic.
Clanton is currently ranked 87th in the world. That’s the second-highest rank ever by an amateur, behind only Nick Dunlap, who leaped to No. 68 just before turning pro.
After his impressive summer and fall, Clanton could have elected to turn pro. However, he returned to Florida State to add a national title to his growing resume.
Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent earned his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated, but he elected to return to Nashville for his senior season. Clanton could also defer his Tour card for another year and return to Florida State for his senior season.
Even if Clanton doesn’t secure it this week, there’s little doubt he’ll have it soon. He’s in line to gain another point on Feb. 5, when he’ll reach 26 weeks as the world’s top amateur. He’s also the front-runner for the Hogan Award, which is given to the best college golfer in America. The award takes into account performance on all levels, not just college, and if Clanton wins that, he will earn three more points and get his card.
Clanton’s PGA Tour destiny is on the horizon. Four good days at Waialae Country Club are all he needs to secure it.
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