First-ever grad of accelerated program
NASHVILLE – When former Mountain Brook High School standout golfer Gordon Sargent decides to turn professional, he won’t have to grind his way through qualifying school to play on the PGA Tour.
Instead, the Vanderbilt junior will have qualified for Tour status via the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. When the 20-year-old Sargent teed it up Wednesday as part of the U.S. team at the World Amateur Team Championships in Abu Dhabi, he reached the 20-point threshold to become eligible to accept membership to the PGA Tour upon conclusion of the 2024 NCAA Division I National Championship.
He is the first player to earn PGA Tour membership via PGA Tour University Accelerated.
If he turns pro after his junior season, Sargent would be eligible for open, full-field events for the remainder of the 2024 season, including the FedExCup fall events; and he also would be a PGA Tour member for the 2025 season (subject to reshuffles).
He has yet to reveal whether this will be his last year with the Commodores.
“Our program extends a heartfelt congratulations to Gordon on his remarkable achievement as the first-ever PGA Tour U. accelerated golfer,” Vanderbilt men’s golf head coach Scott Limbaugh said. “We are incredibly proud of his dedication, talent and relentless pursuit of excellence. As he prepares to make his mark at the World Am in Abu Dhabi this week, we have no doubt that he will continue to inspire and make history. We look forward to Gordon returning to our team after the St Andrews event next week and helping the Commodores vie for the SEC and National Championships.”
How Gordon Sargent earned his PGA Tour card
Here’s a breakdown of points earned on the way to reaching the 20-point threshold:
1: 2023 World Amateur Team Championships
5: Best WAGR rank: 1st
2: 2023 Walker Cup
1: Made cut in 2023 John Deere Classic
1: Made cut in 2023 U.S. Open
1: Played 2023 U.S. Open)
1: 2023 Palmer Cup
1: Played 2023 Masters
1: 2022 World Amateur Team Championships
1: 2022 Palmer Cup
3: 2022 NCAA title
2: 2022 NCAA Freshman of the Year
The PGA TOUR University Accelerated program was announced in November 2022 as a way for high-achieving underclassmen – juniors, sophomores, or freshmen – to earn PGA Tour membership. Players earn points based on their accomplishments in college, amateur and professional golf. If a player earns at least 20 points by the end of their third year of NCAA eligibility, they become eligible for TOUR membership.
“Since winning the NCAA Championship as a freshman, Gordon has consistently proven himself as one of the top amateurs in the game, and he’s very deserving of becoming the first underclassman to earn PGA Tour membership through PGA Tour University Accelerated,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “We look forward to welcoming him to the PGA Tour after he concludes his collegiate career at Vanderbilt.”
Gregg Dewalt is the editor of Alabama Golf News
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Featured image of Gordon Sargent in Abu Dhabi courtesy of USGA/Steven Gibbons
