World No.1 Amateur Luke Clanton Falls One Shot Short of PGA Tour Dream at Phoenix Open
World No.1 amateur Luke Clanton came agonizingly close to earning his PGA Tour card at the WM Phoenix Open, missing the cut by just one shot after a dramatic finish on Friday.
Clanton, a Florida State junior playing on a sponsor's exemption, needed to make the weekend to secure the final point required in the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. Having already earned 19 points, including his most recent for spending 26 weeks atop the World Amateur Golf Ranking, one more point would have guaranteed his Tour card after the spring season.
Golfer swinging on green course
After opening with a 74, Clanton mounted an impressive comeback in round two, carding four birdies on the back nine. Facing an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to make the cut, his attempt slid past the hole, resulting in a 67 for the round and a one-under total – just shy of the cut line.
Golfer swings club in white attire
The 21-year-old, who finished T2 at November's RSM Classic, remained positive despite the disappointment: "It's just not my time, man. I put up a great fight. I had to make five birdies in my last eight holes and put four up and had a great chance on 18. It's tough. It's hard to take. But again, I'm going to walk in my faith and keep understanding that it's not my time."
With more sponsor exemptions likely coming his way, Clanton will have additional opportunities to earn his PGA Tour card in the near future.