A 21-year-old college golfer is on the verge of doing something pretty amazing this week in Phoenix.
Luke Clanton, still a junior at Florida State University, needs just one good tournament to earn his PGA Tour card – a feat that would put him in rare company with recent sensation Nick Dunlap.
He’s already been turning heads on tour. In just nine starts as an amateur, Clanton has finished second twice and grabbed a fifth-place finish. That’s better than most pros manage in their first few years.
“I’m just trying to take it one shot at a time,” Clanton said after his runner-up finish at the RSM Classic last fall.
The Florida native has been absolutely crushing it in college too. He set FSU’s record for lowest scoring average last year at 69.33 – that’s like shooting under par almost every time he tees it up.
Here’s what makes this week so huge: If Clanton makes the cut at the WM Phoenix Open, he’ll earn his PGA Tour card through their special college program. He’s currently ranked 90th in the world – pretty incredible for an amateur.
He’s made the cut in 8 out of his 10 PGA Tour events so far, including:
– 2nd place at the John Deere Classic
– 2nd place at the RSM Classic
– 5th at the Wyndham Championship
Even if things don’t go his way this week, he’s got another chance next month at the Valspar Championship, where he’s already got a spot after winning their collegiate event.
But Clanton’s got unfinished business in college too. His FSU team came up just short in last year’s NCAA finals when he lost the deciding match. You can bet that’s still driving him.
For now though, all eyes are on Phoenix. One good weekend of golf, and this college kid could be the newest member of the PGA Tour.
