Picture this: A battle-hardened veteran like Camilo Villegas, with five PGA TOUR wins under his belt, grinding through Q-School to claw back his spot on the big stage. At 43, he's proving that passion for the game can defy the calendar – but is age truly just a number, or is the TOUR evolving in ways that leave legends behind? Buckle up as we dive into the drama of the 2025 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, where Villegas and a pack of hungry contenders are vying for those coveted 2026 TOUR cards.
Just a short time ago – about an hour to be precise – Villegas carded a flawless, bogey-free 6-under 65 on Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass, putting him just one shot shy of the lead and tied for sixth as the weekend approaches. For those new to golf's qualifying scene, Q-School is essentially a grueling tournament series that acts as a lifeline for pros seeking or regaining full access to PGA TOUR events. It's not just any competition; it's a high-stakes audition where only the top performers earn exemptions, meaning guaranteed spots in every major tournament next year. Villegas, with his extensive experience, is a standout among the field – he's competing in his third Q-School ever, despite a career spanning decades. And here's where it gets intriguing: Despite his age and accomplishments, he's right in the thick of it, reminding us that golf's elite level rewards grit as much as glory.
In a candid chat after his impressive Friday round, Villegas opened up about his mindset shift. 'If you've spent as many years on the PGA TOUR as I have, you thrive on the competition, the grind, the challenge,' he shared. 'That's exactly why we're all here.' He added, 'There are so many young talents eager to break through, and let's face it, getting older makes sustaining TOUR play tougher. I've managed to hang in there during my 40s, even snagging wins, which feels great. But right now, the past is irrelevant – it's all about this moment.'
After wrapping up 155th in the FedExCup Fall standings – for beginners, that's a points-based ranking system where top finishers earn playoff berths and status perks – Villegas saw Q-School's Final Stage as an obvious next step to reclaim full TOUR privileges for 2026. He called it a 'no-brainer' and emphasized, 'After a rough year ending 155th, qualifying directly into this felt like a win. Suddenly, it becomes the year's most crucial event, as only the top five secure that status by Sunday. Fingers crossed I'm in that group.' And this is the part most people miss: Villegas brushed off his recent struggles, saying, 'What happened the last couple of years? It doesn't count anymore.'
His 2025 season was indeed challenging, with just 13 cuts made out of 27 attempts – in golf lingo, a 'cut' means surviving the first two rounds to play the weekend. Skipping the FedExCup Playoffs, he pivoted to the Fall series, where results were scarce. A tie for 36th at the Baycurrent Classic and a tie for 9th at the Bermuda Butterfield Championship were his lone bright spots in seven outings. It's been over two years since his last TOUR victory, a poignant win at the Bermuda Butterfield Championship just 22 months after the heartbreaking loss of his daughter. That triumph shattered a nine-year drought and locked in his status through 2025.
'I absolutely adore this game,' Villegas reflected. 'Waking up each morning to improve, embracing the challenge, the rivalry – it's all part of the thrill. Sure, it's more enjoyable when you're performing well, but the tough days can be frustrating.' As he looks ahead to 2026, uncertainties loom, but a top-five Q-School finish would secure him exempt status for every full-field event next season – a game-changer for consistent play.
Now, let's talk projections: After two rounds, the leaderboard shows the top contenders poised to claim those full 2026 TOUR cards. The top five overall after 72 holes will earn complete exemption. Here's the breakdown:
Tied for 1st: Michael Feagles (7-under) – This 28-year-old from the University of Illinois grabbed headlines in 2023 with a rare 59 on the Korn Ferry Tour, but inconsistent play has limited his PGA TOUR starts lately. A strong finish here could change that trajectory.
Tied for 1st: Trevor Cone (7-under) – At 33, Cone had a dismal 2025 season, ending 161st in the FedExCup and losing all status. Q-School offers a redemption arc to regain it swiftly.
Tied for 1st: A.J. Ewart (7-under) – A PGA TOUR Americas member who aced the fifth hole at Dye’s Valley on Friday, Ewart is eyeing a leapfrog from Korn Ferry Tour to the main circuit, bypassing lower tiers altogether.
Tied for 1st: John Pak (7-under) – The 26-year-old struggled as a TOUR rookie, finishing 152nd in the FedExCup. As a Florida State standout who won all three major college awards his senior year before turning pro in 2021, he's got the pedigree to rebound.
Tied for 1st: Kota Kaneko (7-under) – Japan's top performer this year, the 23-year-old has minimal TOUR experience, with a T33 at the Baycurrent Classic his best showing. His two domestic wins highlight his rising star potential.
Shifting gears to the Korn Ferry Tour bubble: Spots 6 through 45 (and ties) after 72 holes will grant Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2026, with reshuffles affecting status after certain events – the first 25 get a third reshuffle after 14 tournaments, and the rest a second after 10. Currently, with 49 players at 2-under or better through two rounds, that's the bubble line. Notable names include:
Tied for 6th: Adam Svensson (6-under) – The former RSM Classic champ, who lost full TOUR status for the first time since 2020, is aiming higher than just Korn Ferry Tour play.
Tied for 14th: Luke Gutschewski (5-under) – Fresh out of Iowa State this summer, he's chasing his dad Scott's PGA TOUR footsteps.
Tied for 27th: Doc Redman (3-under) – A past TOUR member, he'd gladly accept another Korn Ferry Tour year after finishing below top 100 in points last season, risking 2026 status loss.
Tied for 37th: Ryo Ishikawa (2-under) – With 20 Japan Golf Tour wins, the 34-year-old is pushing for U.S. action. Given his 161 career TOUR starts, does he want full status, or is Korn Ferry Tour enough?
Tied for 37th: Spencer Levin (2-under) – At 41, this Korn Ferry Tour veteran seeks a top-45 finish to boost his standing; he was outside the top 75 this year after a seven-year TOUR run followed by six on Korn Ferry.
And among the other standouts:
Tied for 6th: Camilo Villegas (6-under) – Our featured veteran, with five TOUR wins, ended outside the top 150 in the FedExCup, relying on past champion status for limited starts. He's tantalizingly close to the top five.
Tied for 50th: Nick Hardy (1-under) – Half of the 2023 Zurich Classic winning duo, his 175th FedExCup finish leaves 2026 uncertain without improvement.
Tied for 50th: Jim Herman (1-under) – At 48, the oldest in the field, he's gunning for a comeback to full TOUR status after three wins, including the 2020 Wyndham Championship.
Tied for 66th: Harry Higgs (even-par) – Almost a TOUR winner at the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic earlier this year, he's now battling to keep his job. A 73 start was followed by a solid 3-under Friday, but he'll need fireworks to regain status.
Tied for 90th: Adam Hadwin (1-over) – The Canadian's ongoing struggles, despite a past TOUR win, mean he's stuck with Korn Ferry Tour status next year; anything short of top five won't help.
Norman Xiong (DQ) – Disqualified after missing his second-round tee time, the former world top amateur had a brief 2024 TOUR stint but is now restarting.
But here's where it gets controversial: With veterans like Villegas mixing it up against hungry young guns, is Q-School truly the great equalizer, or does it unfairly favor those with established reputations? Some argue that past champions should get lifetime exemptions to honor their legacies, while others say the TOUR should be strictly merit-based to make room for fresh talent. What do you think – should age and history play a role in elite golf, or is it time for a pure performance-only model? Drop your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear if you side with the seasoned pros or the rising stars!
PGATOUR.COM’s Paul Hodowanic contributed to this report.
