CARLSBAD, Calif. — Michael Thorbjornsen joined an exclusive club Monday.
He became the second player in the history of the PGA Tour to earn his Tour membership via PGA Tour University, following in Ludvig Aberg’s footsteps from last year. And it became official as soon as stroke play ended Monday at the 2024 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship.
The fourth PGA Tour University rankings were finalized Monday, and the top-25 golfers secured status on varying professional tours. But it was Thorbjornsen taking home the top prize.
Players who finished Nos. 2-5 in the final PGA Tour U rankings earned fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2024, as well as an exemption to final stage of 2024 PGA Tour Q-School.
NCAA: Team scores | Individual scores | Photos
Players who finished Nos. 6-10 earned conditional Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2024, fully exempt membership on PGA Tour Americas for 2023, as well as an exemption to second stage of 2024 PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.
Then, Nos. 11-25 earned fully exempt membership on PGA Tour Americans for 2023, as well as an exemption to second stage of 2024 PGA Tour Q-School.
The program is designed to streamline the process for college players to advance to the professional level while also rewarding those who honor their college commitments. Players must play on the NCAA Division I level and complete a minimum of four years in college to be eligible for PGA Tour U.
Thorbjornsen capped his collegiate career this week at Omni La Costa’s North Course, finishing a senior season that saw him as one of 10 players on the final watch list for the 2024 Haskins Award. After battling a back injury in the fall, he finished his career strongly in the spring and is now a PGA Tour member.
“It’s been a long journey, and I’m happy that it’s over,” Thorbjornsen said. “But I mean, as one door closes, another one opens. So this is just a start.”
After an opening 2-under 70 at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship, Lamprecht was subbed out because of a back injury that resulted in him missing out a chance to clinch the top spot in PGA Tour U in his final college start. Nevertheless, it was a stellar college career for the 6-foot-8 South African.
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