Imagine the pressure: your entire career hanging in the balance, one swing at a time. That's exactly where John VanDerLaan found himself at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. He was precariously perched at 17th in the standings, knowing that only the top 20 would secure their golden ticket: a PGA TOUR card for 2026.
Written by Jimmy Reinman, this is the story of VanDerLaan's nail-biting finish and the dreams of those chasing him, all vying for a coveted spot on the PGA TOUR.
Going into the final week of the Korn Ferry Tour season presented by United Leasing & Finance, VanDerLaan, a 29-year-old from Connecticut, wasn't exactly sitting pretty, but he wasn't in dire straits either. Statistically, he had a 98% chance of staying within that top 20 threshold. While not as rock-solid as the over 99% enjoyed by the three players directly above him, it was significantly better than the odds facing Zecheng Dou, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, and Pontus Nyholm, who were clawing their way up from below.
In a somewhat anticlimactic turn, all the players who started the week in the top 20 managed to hold onto their positions. They officially punched their tickets to the PGA TOUR, completing their long and arduous journey to golf's grandest stage.
"If you would’ve told me after the Bahamas that I would be No. 17 in the Points List I would’ve taken that and taken my chances," VanDerLaan confessed after his second round. "Just looking at it as an opportunity to get it done. Just trying to take care of everything on my end and hopefully not have to worry about much else."
VanDerLaan openly admitted that the pressure did get to him at times. "I think it is always going to pop in your mind," he said, illustrating just how mentally challenging professional golf can be. "Even though I haven’t had my best golf this week, I am doing a good job of just staying focused on the shot in front of me." This is a key skill for any golfer, professional or amateur: the ability to block out distractions and concentrate on the immediate task.
The week's results were a clear reflection of this internal struggle. VanDerLaan began with a 74 on Thursday on the notoriously challenging Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Golf Resort, followed by a 75 on Friday, leaving him at 5-over par heading into the weekend. Although his projected position remained within the safe zone, strong performances from players like Barend Botha, Sandy Scott, and Justin Suh narrowed the margin to a dangerously thin line.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that VanDerLaan's 'safe' approach actually hindered his performance. Do you think playing defensively is ever a good strategy in high-stakes situations, or is it better to go all-out for the win?
VanDerLaan regained his composure with a crucial 69 on Saturday, climbing back to 2-over for the week and into the middle of the pack. By Sunday, it was Nyholm's struggles and Botha's late stumble that ultimately sealed VanDerLaan's promotion to the PGA TOUR. Talk about cutting it close!
And this is the part most people miss... Had VanDerLaan slipped to No. 21, his path would have drastically changed. Instead of heading to the PGA TOUR, he would have found himself at the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, held at the Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, where five additional TOUR cards are up for grabs in December. Players finishing Nos. 21–50 on the final Korn Ferry Tour Points List earned direct entry to that Final Stage, while those ranked Nos. 51–75 advanced to the Second Stage. Think of it as a second chance, but with even more pressure!
So, who are the names to watch at PGA TOUR Q-School?
Enter Barend Botha. He nearly snatched a TOUR card with a remarkable run at French Lick, leaping from No. 54 to No. 28. He demonstrated TOUR-caliber power off the tee but ultimately fell short of the breakthrough victory that would have completely transformed his season. Another year on the Korn Ferry Tour could refine the weaker aspects of his game, but he'll undoubtedly be a formidable competitor at Q-School.
Mitchell Meissner, in a heartbreaking turn of events, was the first player outside the top 20. His even-par finish at French Lick left him on the wrong side of the line. Meissner's story is one of the most unique in professional golf – he switched from right-handed to left-handed putting in a desperate attempt to salvage his career. Now, with renewed confidence, he'll aim to join his brother Mac on the PGA TOUR through Q-School. This showcases the incredible resilience and adaptability required to succeed in professional golf.
For Alistair Docherty, the French Lick finale brought back painful memories. A year ago, he finished just one shot short of victory after Braden Thornberry's final-round 66 denied him a TOUR card. Then, at TPC Sawgrass, he missed a card by a single stroke again at Final Stage. This year, he didn't contend for the lead but did enough to move from No. 51 to No. 50, barely securing another shot at Final Stage redemption. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!
Nick Gabrelcik experienced the opposite fate, plummeting from No. 49 to No. 54 after finishing 69th in the 73-man field at French Lick. Once considered one of the most TOUR-ready prospects from the University of North Florida, Gabrelcik must now battle through Second Stage. However, there's a silver lining: should he advance, the Final Stage will be held in his hometown of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, giving the Jacksonville native a potential home-course advantage in his quest for a PGA TOUR card.
Ultimately, the Korn Ferry Tour Championship is a microcosm of the entire golfing world: a blend of incredible talent, crushing defeats, and unwavering determination. Who do you think will emerge victorious from Q-School? And what does it take, mentally and physically, to handle the immense pressure of competing for a PGA TOUR card?
