PONTE VEDRA, Fla. — Since his grandfather Arnold Palmer’s death in 2016, Sam Saunders still hasn’t found someone to replace him as his swing coach. When his game goes awry, he calls his friend Eric Cole. Cole had a breakthrough year on the PGA Tour 2022-23, and has climbed up to No. The Official World Golf Ranking has ranked 41.
Saunders stated, “He likes it when I reach out to me and I do.” “He helps me get back on track.”
Saunders used Cole as a caddie when he was playing in the major leagues. Cole struggled to find his game while on the mini tours. Cole would likely have played the same role this week, as Saunders tries to earn a promotion via PGA Tour Qualifying School.
Saunders stated, “If he weren’t on honeymoon, he would have done it.” I was like, “Dude, it’s not possible to divorce two days after getting married. He told me, at his wedding: ‘Go pick one of the cards this week. You will make my life so much more enjoyable if you play with me. Just get it done.
The final stage of PGA Tour’s Q-School is the first time in a decade that PGA Tour cards are on the line. The top five finishers, including ties, will receive PGA Tour memberships for 2024 after the 72-hole event that begins Thursday. The opportunity is there for a player to pass “Go” on the PGA Tour and earn more than $200.
“Everyone is here to try it,” said Rob Oppenheim. He first played at Q-School back in 2001.
“Even if it was just one card, you would come because this is such an awesome opportunity,” said Saunders.
Both heartache and joy will be on display this Sunday. The 1984 medalist Paul Azinger once described Q School as “climbing a cactus in reverse, naked.” Erik Compton is on the field this week and said that “it was no place for children or women.” And retired pro Joe Ogilvie said “Shakespeare could have written a hell of a drama here.”
The field is competitive with 19 Tour winners and veterans who are trying to improve their status or regain it. There are also newbies that need to know how to get to the locker rooms and those who want to be able to compete for some sort of status next season.
Depending on where they finish, the next 40 finishers or ties will be exempt from multiple reshuffles during the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Season. This means that depending on how well they finish, between 8 and 12 starts are guaranteed. The next 20 finishers, including ties, are exempt from the Latin America Swing during the 2024 PGA Tour Americas Season. All other finishers who do not fall into the categories above will receive conditional membership to both the PGA Tour Americas and Korn Ferry Tour for 2024.
Saunders has nothing to fear as he is already guaranteed a full spot on the Korn Ferry Tour next season.
He said, “I play with my house money.” Positioning-wise, finishing sixth is of no use to me. I’m a better player than others. I can shoot at pins and play more aggressively.
Patton Kizzire is a bit surprised that he hasn’t had to attend Q-School in a while. He cried when he realized that he was no longer exempt after the RSM Classic. At No. At No. The chance to achieve full status in the 126-150 range is too good to miss.
He said, “It’s just an opportunity to get promoted.”
Saunders, however, said that a paycheck was the furthest thing on anyone’s mind.
“That is what makes it pure.” “You’re playing your whole career or for an entire year,” said he.
It’s like the Olympics. It’s almost like the Olympics. People put in four years of hard work and then have one big event. If you mess up, it’s as if, “oh my god, I’ve still got four more years to wait.” Golfers don’t have to wait long for their next event, but if they mess up at Q-School, and are left with limited status, it feels like a year or more.
Weather could be unpredictable: wind, rain and cold are all in the forecast. It will be impossible to fake it if such conditions prevail.
Ryan Gerard said, “It is about accepting the suck at times.” “It will suck out here for a couple of days.”
