Imagine your entire career hanging by a thread, the difference between dream fulfillment and gut-wrenching disappointment measured in a single stroke. That's exactly where John VanDerLaan found himself at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Let's dive into his nail-biting journey and spotlight the other players facing their own high-stakes drama as they chase their PGA TOUR dreams.
Jimmy Reinman's report from the PGA TOUR details the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, presented by United Leasing & Finance, where dreams are either realized or deferred. For John VanDerLaan, the final week of the season was a tightrope walk between securing a coveted PGA TOUR card and facing the daunting prospect of Q-School. VanDerLaan started the week in 17th place in the standings, a precarious position considering that only the top 20 earn automatic promotion to the PGA TOUR.
Mathematically, the odds were in his favor. At 98%, his chances of staying inside that top 20 threshold seemed solid. While the top three players enjoyed chances over 99%, VanDerLaan still had a significant lead over those chasing him. Players like Zecheng Dou, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, and Pontus Nyholm were breathing down his neck, eager to snatch his spot. In a testament to the season-long grind, all players who began the week within the top 20 ultimately secured their PGA TOUR cards for 2026. They navigated the pressure and solidified their places on golf’s biggest 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.” This quote perfectly captures the mindset of a player on the cusp of achieving a lifelong goal: focus on what you can control and let the chips fall where they may.
But here's where it gets controversial... VanDerLaan openly admitted that the pressure did, indeed, get to him. "I think it is always going to pop in your mind,” he stated. “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 internal battle manifested in his performance. He opened with a 74 on Thursday, followed by a 75 on Friday on the unforgiving Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Golf Resort, leaving him at 5-over heading into the weekend. While his projected position remained safe, surges from players like Barend Botha, Sandy Scott, and Justin Suh narrowed the margin to a razor's edge.
VanDerLaan demonstrated impressive resilience, carding a crucial 69 on Saturday to climb back to 2-over for the week and into a more comfortable position. By Sunday, it was the struggles of Nyholm and the late stumble of Botha that ultimately sealed VanDerLaan’s promotion to the PGA TOUR. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions! The relief must have been immense. In a heartwarming moment, VanDerLaan was surprised by his wife and dog, celebrating his achievement with him.
And this is the part most people miss... think about what was at stake if VanDerLaan had slipped to No. 21. His destination would have shifted dramatically from the PGA TOUR to the pressure-cooker environment of the Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School, presented by Korn Ferry, held at the Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass. There, five additional TOUR cards would be up for grabs in December. Players finishing Nos. 21–50 on the final Korn Ferry Tour Points List earned direct access to that Final Stage, while those finishing Nos. 51–75 advance to Second Stage. Q-School is a grueling test of skill and mental fortitude, where players face immense pressure to perform.
Now, let's turn our attention to those players who will be battling it out at PGA TOUR Q-School. Barend Botha, who made a valiant effort at French Lick, narrowly missing a TOUR card, jumped from No. 54 to No. 28. He demonstrated TOUR-level power off the tee, but ultimately fell short of securing the breakthrough win needed to rewrite his season. Another year on the Korn Ferry Tour might refine the weaker aspects of his game.
Mitchell Meissner faced a particularly heartbreaking situation, finishing as the first man outside the top 20. His even-par finish at French Lick left him on the wrong side of the line. Meissner's story is remarkable. In a desperate move to salvage his career, he switched from right-handed to left-handed putting. Now, with renewed confidence, he'll aim to join his brother Mac on the PGA TOUR through Q-School. This story highlights the extraordinary lengths to which players will go to pursue their dreams.
Alistair Docherty's experience at French Lick brought back painful memories. A year prior, he missed victory by a single shot after Braden Thornberry's final-round 66 denied him a TOUR card. Then, at TPC Sawgrass, he missed a card by one stroke again at Final Stage. This year, while he didn't contend for the lead, he did enough to move from No. 51 to No. 50, securing another shot at Final Stage redemption. Can he finally overcome the heartbreak and earn his TOUR card?
Nick Gabrelcik experienced the opposite fortune, 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 now faces the challenge of fighting 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. Will this local advantage be enough to propel him to success?
So, what do you think? Are stories like VanDerLaan's a testament to the power of perseverance, or do they highlight the brutal realities of professional golf? And who do you think has the best chance of earning a card through Q-School this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
