A top-ranked college player was able to secure his PGA Tour card in Hawaii this week.
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Luke Clanton is not yet a full-time PGA Tour professional, but at this week’s Sony Open, the top-ranked amateur can be sure there will be something waiting for him after his career ends in Florida.
The 21-year-old earned 17 PGA Tour University Accelerated points last summer thanks to four top-10 finishes, including two second-place finishes, and the 20 points will guarantee him a PGA Tour card whenever he decides to turn pro. Clanton, who is playing the Sony Open without a sponsor, can earn those three critical points with a top-five finish in Hawaii. He will receive two points for a top-10 finish and one point if he qualifies but finishes the season outside the top-10.
Florida State junior he had 2024 to remember.
Clanton led the Seminoles to the 2024 NCAA Championship, where they lost to Auburn 3-2. Clanton then took his talent to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst as the No. 2 seed. He finished T-41 and nearly trailed Neil Shipley, who won low amateur honors.
The sponsorship waivers came in the summer when Clanton finished T-10 at Rocket Mortage, T-2 at John Deere, fifth in the Wyndham Championship and T-2 in the RSM Classic.
Clanton is currently ranked 87th in the world. This is the second-highest result in amateur history, behind Nick Dunlap, who jumped to 68th place just before turning professional.
After an impressive summer and fall, Clanton could turn pro. But he returned to Florida State to add a national title to his growing resume.
Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent earned his PGA Tour card through PGA Tour University Accelerated but decided to return to Nashville for his final 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 no doubt he’ll have it soon. He is in line to earn another point on February 5, when he will reach 26 weeks as the world’s top amateur. He is also the frontrunner for the Hogan Award, given to the top college golfer in America. The award takes into account performance at all levels, not just college, and if Clanton wins it, he will earn three more points and receive a card.
Clanton’s fate on the PGA Tour is on the horizon. All he needs are four good days at Waialae Country Club to ensure success.
