PGA TOUR University on TOUR:  Davis Thompson wins John Deere Classic

PGA TOUR University had a strong presence atop the leaderboard at the John Deere Classic, headlined by winning his first PGA TOUR title. Leading by two through 54 holes, the Georgia grad opened with a front-nine 29 en route to a final-round 64 and a four-stroke victory. With the win, Thompson moved to No. 22 in the FedExCup and joins fellow alums Ludvig Åberg (No. 6) and Austin Eckroat (No. 44) in the top 50.

Thompson, the No. 2 finisher in the PGA TOUR U Class of 2021, is the fourth alum to win on the PGA TOUR in the last nine months, a list that includes Ludvig Åberg (2023 RSM Classic), Austin Eckroat (2024 Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches) and Chris Gotterup (2024 Myrtle Beach Classic). In all, 16 alumni have combined to win 23 professional events since the first class turned professional in June 2021.

Coming off a T10 finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, Florida State rising junior Luke Clanton finished T2 and became the first amateur to post back-to-back top-10s since 1958. With the top-10 finish, Clanton earned two more points in PGA TOUR University Accelerated, bringing his total to nine. If he accumulates 20 total points by the end of his junior season, he will join Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent as players to earn their PGA TOUR card via PGA TOUR University Accelerated. Clanton, currently No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, will have another chance to add to his total this week, as he will play in the ISCO Championship on a sponsor exemption.

Also finishing in a tie for second was the No. 1 player from this year’s class, Michael Thorbjornsen. In his third start as a pro, Thorbjornsen carded nine birdies – including six in a row – in his final-round 63. This week, Thorbjornsen will join Clanton, Parker Coody, Pierceson Coody, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Joe Highsmith and Mac Meisner at the ISCO Championship, while Åberg, Eckroat, Gotterup, Thompson and Kevin Yu will compete in the Scottish Open.

This week on the Korn Ferry Tour, the field at The Ascendant presented by Blue features 23 PGA TOUR U alum, including Gustav Frimodt and Karl Vilips, who will each make their first starts on Korn Ferry Tour.

PGA TOUR Americas returns to action this week at the Explore NB Open, and Frederik Kjettrup will look to extend his winning streak to three. With a victory, Kjettrup will qualify for a three-win promotion and earn Korn Ferry Tour membership for the remainder of 2024 and the 2025 season.

PGA TOUR University Alumni – FedExCup Standings 

*Class of 2024

PGA TOUR University Alumni – Korn Ferry Tour Points List

*Class of 2024

PGA TOUR University Alumni – Fortinet Cup Standings 

*Class of 2024