Vanderbilt sophomore, Gordon Sargent, has accomplished an extraordinary feat at just 20 years old. Sargent has become the first player to graduate from the PGA Tour University’s Accelerated program, solidifying his PGA Tour card in historic fashion.
Known for his remarkable swing speeds, with the ball reaching an impressive 185 mph, Sargent wasted no time in satisfying the 20-point requirement through the PGA Tour University’s Accelerated program. He achieved this milestone as soon as he teed off in the first round of the World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi.
Notable golfing achievement
In a historic achievement, 20-year-old Gordon Sargent has become the first player to earn his PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. (@PGATOURU)
Sargent will be joining Ludvig Aberg as they both make their mark in the professional golf landscape. Aberg, the first PGA Tour University member to earn full-time status, has already showcased his talent with four top-5 finishes and a victory at the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, in a press release, stated, “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. We look forward to welcoming him to the PGA Tour after he concludes his collegiate career at Vanderbilt.”
Sargent’s professional journey
While Sargent won’t immediately turn professional, he can activate his full PGA Tour membership following the conclusion of the NCAA Championship in May. Starting from there, Sargent will be eligible to participate in open, full-field events for the remainder of the 2024 season and the subsequent one.
Ranked No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf rankings, Sargent entered this week with 19 points, and by participating as a member of the U.S. Team, he fulfilled the 20-point requirement. This achievement makes him the first underclassman to graduate from the PGA Tour University’s Accelerated program.
PGA Tour Accelerated Program
Introduced in November, the PGA Tour accelerated program provides a pathway for high-achieving underclassmen to earn a Tour membership. Players earn points based on their performances in college, amateur, and professional events. A total of 20 points by the end of the player’s third year of NCAA eligibility makes them eligible for Tour membership.
Sargent’s journey to reaching the 20-point threshold began on May 30, 2022, when he emerged victorious in the individual NCAA title. He earned two points on June 1, 2022, by being crowned the recipient of the 2022 NCAA Division I Outstanding Freshman Award. Sargent further accumulated points while competing for the United States in the Arnold Palmer Cup and the World Amateur Team Championships.
With stellar performances in significant tournaments such as the Masters Championship and the U.S. Open, Sargent inched closer to the 20-point mark. Notably, his exceptional showing at the Walker Cup, where he went 4-0-0 and helped Team USA secure victory, propelled him to 19 points.
An upcoming star on the PGA Tour
Gordon Sargent’s path has led him to be the next rising star on the PGA Tour. Demonstrating an ability to handle pressure and showcasing his undeniable talent, Sargent has now secured his PGA Tour card. With his professional debut just around the corner, it raises the question of who will win a PGA Tour event first—Aberg or Sargent?
The post “Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent Makes History: The First Graduate of PGA Tour University Accelerated Program to Secure PGA Tour Card” first appeared on the European News Global.
European News Global 