Amateur Luke Clanton becomes second PGA Tour runner-up in 2024

From January through November, amateurs made their presence known on the PGA Tour in 2024.

Nick Dunlap becomes the first man to win the PGA Tour since Phil Mickelson in 1991 When American Express got its title. He later turned pro and has been winning ever since.

Neal Shipley finishes Masters and US Open as low-level amateur.

But the summer and fall belonged to Luke Clanton. Florida State junior had a chance to win 2024 RSM Classic Sunday at Sea Island Golf Club’s Seaside Course, but a late bogey resulted in the world’s top-ranked amateur finishing second.

Since June, Clanton has made eight starts on the PGA Tour, making the cut seven times and finishing in the top 10 in four of those starts. He even finished second twice this week in the RSM Classic and John Deere Classic.

He’s also getting closer to a PGA Tour card thanks to PGA Tour University Accelerated.

This week, he earned two more points for the program that gives PGA Tour cards to college amateurs if they score 20 points. One point is awarded for making the cut in PGA Tour events, while another point is awarded if the player finishes in the top 10.

In PGA Tour events alone, Clanton has earned 11 points this year. With the addition of being number 1 in the WAGR rankings and being on the Arnold Palmer Cup team, Clanton rose to 17 points. He has three more and a PGA Tour card.

Vanderbilt senior Gordon Sargent had its 20th issue last fall but decided to return to school and postpone his card until May, when he would complete his play at the NCAA Championships. In addition to Sargent, the leader of the PGA Tour University Class of 2025 standings will also earn a card following the nationals.

If Clanton participates in more PGA Tour events and his stellar play continues, three of college golf’s top players could be PGA Tour members by next summer.