The Korn Ferry Tour Championship in French Lick, Indiana, was the setting for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season, as 20 PGA TOUR cards were awarded to the top players. This prestigious event, presented by United Leasing & Finance, saw Chandler Blanchet claim victory with a 6-under 66 in the final round, securing his second win of the season. But here's where it gets interesting: Blanchet's win wasn't the only highlight.
The Top 20 Players on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List
These elite golfers earned their PGA TOUR membership for the 2026 season, which kicks off in January. Among them, 12 will be PGA TOUR rookies, representing 9 countries and territories. The competition was fierce, with 11 players entering the Championship assured of a PGA TOUR card, and the remaining 9 cards going to those in the top 20 of the Points List.
Johnny Keefer: The No. 1 Player
Keefer, a rising star, clinched the top spot on the Points List with victories at the 2025 Veritex Bank Championship and 2025 NV5 Invitational. He led the Tour in top-five finishes and broke the single-season scoring average record. But here's the twist: Keefer's journey to the top began at Baylor University, where he broke a school record, and he even bribed his son into golf with lacrosse equipment!
Chandler Blanchet: The Comeback Kid
Blanchet, a seasoned Korn Ferry Tour player, secured his first PGA TOUR card with victories at the 2025 Price Cutter Charity Championship and the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. His road to success included regaining membership and a No. 1 finish on the PGA TOUR Latinoamerica Order of Merit. And this is the part most people miss: Blanchet's love for pour-over coffee and his Gainesville roots.
Austin Smotherman: The Veteran
Smotherman, a three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, returns to the PGA TOUR after victories at the 2025 BMW Charity Pro-Am and 2025 Memorial Health Championship. He's a former All-American Athletic Conference selection and enjoys Bruce Lee movies. But did you know he's a two-time Korn Ferry Tour graduate?
Neal Shipley: The Comeback Artist
Shipley earned his first PGA TOUR card with comeback victories at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic and 2025 Ascendant. A native of Pittsburgh, he graduated from a high school with notable alumni like Dan Marino. And he's not just a golfer; Shipley also featured in a Netflix documentary series!
Emilio Gonzalez: The Rising Star
Gonzalez secured his first PGA TOUR membership with a victory at the 2025 Albertsons Boise Open. He's a former NCAA Division II player with seven individual wins. But wait, there's more: Gonzalez was recruited to his college golf team by his older sister, and he's the sixth Mexican player to earn PGA TOUR membership via the Korn Ferry Tour.
Hank Lebioda: The Veteran's Return
Lebioda secured a return to the PGA TOUR with his first Korn Ferry Tour title and four top-five finishes. He previously maintained PGA TOUR membership and had a 2021 FedExCup Playoffs appearance. But did you know he's the third Florida State player to be named ACC Player of the Year?
Adrien Dumont de Chassart: The Record-Setter
Dumont de Chassart clinched his PGA TOUR return with a record-setting victory at the 2025 Compliance Solutions Championship. He's one of only two Korn Ferry Tour graduates from Belgium. But here's a fun fact: he's the third player in history to earn three consecutive Big Ten Conference Player of the Year awards!
S.H. Kim: The Improved Veteran
Kim retained PGA TOUR membership and improved his status for the 2026 season with a victory at the 2025 AdventHealth Championship. He's a two-time Korn Ferry Tour graduate and had a successful rookie season on the PGA TOUR. But did you know he's had four international victories before his first Korn Ferry Tour title?
Christo Lamprecht: The South African Sensation
Lamprecht secured his first PGA TOUR membership in his first full Korn Ferry Tour season. He won the 2025 Pinnacle Bank Championship in dramatic fashion. But here's the kicker: he's the first South African to reach No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and the fourth South African to win The Amateur!
Davis Chatfield: The Consistent Performer
Chatfield earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his third consecutive Korn Ferry Tour season. He finished in the top 20 without a victory this season. But did you know he's a native of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and honed his skills at a nine-hole golf course?
Zach Bauchou: The Asian Tour Veteran
Bauchou secured his first PGA TOUR membership with a win at the 2025 Simmons Bank Open. He struggled to earn membership on tours until 2022, when he played on the Asian Tour. But here's a fun fact: he's a member of the famed 2018 NCAA Championship-winning team!
Pierceson Coody: The Three-Time Winner
Coody, a three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, secured a return to the PGA TOUR with seven top 10s. He's a former All-America First Team selection and helped Texas win the 2022 NCAA Championship. But did you know he's the grandson of three-time PGA TOUR winner Charles Coody?
S.T. Lee: The Rookie Sensation
Lee earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his rookie season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He had six top-10 finishes and ranked second on Tour in made cuts. But did you know he's a former KPGA Tour player and earned his first international victory at the 2024 Lexus Masters?
Jeffrey Kang: The Veteran's Return
Kang earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his second Korn Ferry Tour season. He solidified his place in the top 20 with strong finishes. But here's a fun fact: he represented the US at the 2008 Junior Ryder Cup alongside Jordan Spieth!
Kensei Hirata: The Japanese Sensation
Hirata earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his rookie season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He had four top-three finishes and reached No. 99 in the Official World Golf Ranking. But did you know he's the fifth Japanese player to earn PGA TOUR membership through the Korn Ferry Tour?
Trace Crowe: The Wrist Warrior
Crowe retained PGA TOUR membership despite missing the season-ending events due to a wrist injury. He earned his second career win at the 2025 UNC Health Championship. But here's a twist: he earned his first PGA TOUR card with a runner-up finish at Final Stage of 2023 PGA TOUR Q-School!
John VanDerLaan: The Fifth-Year Veteran
VanDerLaan earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his fifth Korn Ferry Tour season. He won the 2025 Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship. But did you know he's a former NCAA Division II individual national champion?
Zecheng Dou: The Three-Time Graduate
Dou, a three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, secured a return to the PGA TOUR with a late-season surge. He's a three-time Korn Ferry Tour graduate. But did you know he's had a successful career in China?
Sudarshan Yellamaraju: The Canadian Contender
Yellamaraju earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his second Korn Ferry Tour season. He won the 2025 The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic. But here's a fun fact: he started playing golf by hitting range balls with rental clubs at a local golf dome!
Pontus Nyholm: The Swedish Sensation
Nyholm earned his first PGA TOUR membership in his fourth Korn Ferry Tour season. He defeated Johnny Keefer in a playoff for his first Korn Ferry Tour title. But did you know he's the ninth Swedish player to earn PGA TOUR membership via the Korn Ferry Tour, and he almost chose hockey over golf?
These 20 players have all earned their place on the PGA TOUR, each with their own unique stories and paths to success. Who do you think will make the biggest impact on the 2026 season? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!
