NEWBURGH, Ind. Justin Suh already had a PGA Tour card and won the season with a 4-under 68 Sunday. This was a two shot victory in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, which came with a few extra perks.
Suh finished first in the points standings from the regular season and three-event Korn Ferry Tour Finals. The former University of Southern California star is fully exemption on the PGA Tour next, and earned a spot to The U.S. Open as well as The Players Championship.
This was not about players trying to get a PGA Tour card.
Austin Eckroat, who was a star at Oklahoma State, needed to finish strongly in order to be eligible for one of the 25 cards from the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. He delivered big time with a 68, finishing second behind Suh.
Eric Cole, whose parents were both on tour, made big moves in the final event that secured a PGA Tour Card.
Kyle Westmoreland was a five year Air Force veteran and took the 25th position narrowly ahead of Joey Garber who birdied his final four holes after a double-bogey on No. 14.
The PGA Tour season opens Sept. 15 at the Fortinet Championship in Napa. Suh will be on a high.
Suh stated that it felt great to prove I could win.
He was considered a strong post-college class that included Collin Morikawa (Viktor Hovland) and Matthew Wolff (all of whom won quickly). Suh struggled, lost his card, and spent the next few decades improving his game with the Korn Ferry Tour.
The U.S. Open exemption has been added this year. It is also worth not being subject to various reshuffles of the points list, which places a premium on playing fast.
Ryan Armour, 46, is one of the returning players to PGA Tour. He started the week at No. 30 and had a 67–65 weekend to tie him for fifth.
Cole, Echavarria, Eckroat and Goya were among the 12 players who made the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. They will be rookies on next seasons PGA Tour.
As part of the new Earnings Assurance Program, $500,000 will be awarded to the 50 players who earned cards during the Finals and regular seasons. This will be added to their earnings until they exceed that amount. This program is designed to ensure no one loses any money.