Pro Golfer Fails to Advance at Korn Ferry Tour Q School First Stage

Maricopa, Arizona – A challenging first stage of the Korn Ferry Tour qualifying tournament concluded today at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club, eliminating numerous hopefuls, including one professional golfer who detailed a difficult week on the course.

The tournament, held October 14-16, 2025, saw competitors battle firm and fast conditions on the 7,500-yard layout. The golfer, who wished to remain anonymous, reported battling a recent thumb infection requiring antibiotics, but ultimately attributed his failure to advance to uninspiring wedge play and a poor putting performance. Only the top 19 and ties moved on to the second stage of qualifying.

During the event, the golfer was grouped with veteran Brandon Harkins, a former PGA Tour and current Korn Ferry Tour member, who shared his own struggles with the demanding tour schedule. “Being away from my three-year-old and five-year-old kids was taking a toll,” Harkins reportedly said, adding that the increased depth of talent on the Korn Ferry Tour in recent years means players “can’t sneak through any stage with mediocre golf.” This sentiment reflects a growing trend in professional golf, where competition is fiercer than ever, as reported by the PGA Tour.

The golfer noted a high number of missed putts from close range – 14 misses from inside 12 feet – as a key factor in his result. He and his playing partners, including W.Y. Cho, a teammate of Sung-jae Im, all failed to advance. The outcome underscores the difficulty of earning status on the Korn Ferry Tour, a crucial stepping stone to the PGA Tour.

Officials confirmed that thousands of golfers entered the first stage of Q school, with only approximately 45 ultimately earning guaranteed starts on the Korn Ferry Tour and potential access to the PGA Tour in 2026.