The Korn Ferry Tour Championship is not just about who will take home the trophy, but also about the race to secure a coveted PGA Tour card for the upcoming season. With 30 cards up for grabs, the pressure was on for players to perform well in the season finale. Before the tournament began, 17 cards had already been claimed, and five more were likely to be secured. This left only eight spots truly open for competition.
Braden Thornberry was one of the players who seized the opportunity to secure his PGA Tour card for the 2025 season. Despite starting the week in 51st place, Thornberry’s impressive final-round 66 at The French Lick Golf Resort’s Pete Dye Course catapulted him to 16th in the points standings. This victory marked a significant milestone for Thornberry, as it was his first Tour card since being named the Haskins Award winner in 2017.
Out of the 74-man field, Thornberry was the only player who managed to break into the top 30 and secure a Tour card. Unfortunately, his success meant that someone else had to fall out of the standings. In this case, it was Sam Bennett, who started the week in 30th place but dropped to 31st after a final-round 78 that included two double-bogeys. Bennett’s misfortune served as a reminder of how volatile the competition can be in the final stretch of the tournament.
For Thornberry, the journey to securing his PGA Tour card was not without its challenges. As a relatively lower-ranked player at the start of the tournament, he had to deliver a standout performance in order to climb the rankings and achieve his goal. His final-round 66 was not only a testament to his skill and determination but also a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional golf.
The Korn Ferry Tour Championship at The French Lick Golf Resort provided an exciting conclusion to the season, with players fighting tooth and nail for their chance to advance to the PGA Tour. While Thornberry emerged victorious and secured his Tour card, others were left to ponder what might have been. The tournament within the tournament added an extra layer of drama and excitement for players and fans alike, showcasing the competitive spirit that drives professional golfers to push themselves to the limit.
As Thornberry and his fellow competitors look ahead to the 2025 season on the PGA Tour, they can take pride in knowing that they earned their place among the best in the world. The journey to securing a Tour card is never easy, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Thornberry’s triumph at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and a never-say-die attitude.
