Monday qualifiers: Hopfinger, 35, earns first TOUR start at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson

This week marks Brad Hopfinger’s 215th career PGA TOUR-sanctioned start.

It will be his first on the PGA TOUR.

Hopfinger, 35, was one of four players to qualify for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson in Monday’s open qualifier, and he did so in dramatic fashion, outlasting Thomas Rosenmueller in a marathon playoff in the gloaming at Tierra Verde Golf Club in Arlington, Texas. The two were in a 3-for-2 playoff at 8-under 64; Quade Cummins earned a spot with a birdie on the first playoff hole, stuffing a 150-yard wedge to inside a foot.

KK Limbhasut and Max McGreevy each carded 9-under 63 to earn the first two spots via Monday's qualifier, no playoff needed.

It was a gratifying evening for Hopfinger, who has spent most of the past decade on the Korn Ferry Tour, chasing his dream of a PGA TOUR card. That's where he was Sunday, finishing 55th at the Veritex Bank Championship at nearby Texas Rangers Golf Club before making the quick trip through the metroplex to Tierra Verde. That proved to be a wise choice, as he made eagle at the short par-4 17th en route to an 8-under 64 that was good for a playoff spot, and he took advantage.

"This one worked out, just because we were here last week, and it was awesome," Hopfinger said. "I've been a professional a long time now, but that's the goal, is to play the PGA TOUR, and getting an opportunity is huge ... (Wife Sarah) is seven weeks from having our first kid; so we've got a lot going on, this is a highlight for me and she loves following me. This means the world to us."

Click here for all scores from Tierra Verde Golf Club.

Here's a capsule look at the four Monday qualifiers for THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson:

KK Limbhasut (9-under 63)

Age: 28
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Alma mater: University of California-Berkeley
PGA TOUR starts: 2
Cuts made: 1
Best PGA TOUR finish: T44, 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic

Notes: Made nine birdies in a bogey-free qualifying round ... Competing on Korn Ferry Tour this season; stands No. 52 on season-long standings with three made cuts in eight starts, highlighted by a T5 at the 117 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro. That was his career-best finish in 52 Korn Ferry Tour starts ... Played collegiately alongside two-time major champion Collin Morikawa; the two also attended Cal-Berkeley business school together ... Moved from Thailand to Southern California when he was 14 to pursue college golf opportunities.

Max McGreevy (9-under 63)

Age: 28
Hometown: Edmond, Oklahoma
Alma mater: University of Oklahoma
PGA TOUR starts: 65
Cuts made: 19
Best PGA TOUR finish: Runner-up, 2022 Puerto Rico Open

Notes: Made seven birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free qualifying round ... Stands No. 18 on this year's Korn Ferry Tour Points List with five top-25s in nine starts, highlighted by a T3 at the Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club ... Spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons on the PGA TOUR, finishing No. 120 and No. 175 on the season-long FedExCup respectively (finished No. 177 on the 2023 FedExCup Fall standings to lose his card) ... Previously lived with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a rental house in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, alongside fellow pros Grant Hirschman and Charlie Saxon.

Quade Cummins (8-under 64, advanced via playoff)

Age: 28
Hometown: Weatherford, Oklahoma
Alma mater: University of Oklahoma
PGA TOUR starts: 5
Cuts made: 2
Best PGA TOUR finish: T58, 2021 Fortinet Championship

Notes: Made eight birdies in a bogey-free round at the qualifier ... Competing on Korn Ferry Tour this season; currently stands No. 10 on standings with seven made cuts in eight starts, highlighted by a runner-up at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club ... Was a member of the famed "Burly Boys" squad at the University of Oklahoma ... Has developed a rapport with Barstool Sports' Jersey Jerry, who caddied for him last summer at the Korn Ferry Tour's NV5 Invitational presented by Old National Bank.

Brad Hopfinger (8-under 64, advanced via playoff)

Age: 35
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
Alma mater: University of Iowa
PGA TOUR starts: 0

Notes: Made seven birdies and an eagle at the par-4 17th, against one bogey, to earn a spot in 3-for-2 qualifying playoff ... Has made 166 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, with 87 made cuts and nine top-10 finishes. Currently stands No. 92 on 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List with four made cuts in nine starts; season-best finish is T8 at the Astara Golf Championship presented by Mastercard ... Now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina; he and wife Sarah are currently expecting a baby.