After runner-up finish at 2024 RSM Classic, amateur Luke Clanton closing in on PGA Tour card

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

Nick Dunlap became the first am since Phil Mickelson in 1991 to win on the PGA Tour when he captured the American Express title. He then turned pro and has won since.

Neal Shipley finished low amateur at the Masters and U.S. Open.

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

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

RSM: Leaderboard | Photos

Thanks to PGA Tour University Accelerated, he’s closing in on a PGA Tour card, too.

This week, he earned two more points for the program, which awards collegiate amateurs a PGA Tour card if they get to 20 points. At PGA Tour events, one point is awarded for a made cut while another is given if a player finishes in the top 10.

Just in PGA Tour events, Clanton has earned 11 points this year. Add in his No. 1 WAGR ranking and appearance on the Arnold Palmer Cup team, Clanton is up to 17 points. Three more, and he’s got a PGA Tour card.

Vanderbilt senior Gordon Sargent secured his 20th point last fall but decided to return to school and defer his card until May when he completes play at the NCAA Championship. In addition to Sargent, the leader of the PGA Tour University standings for the Class of 2025 will also earn a card following nationals.

If Clanton finds his way into more PGA Tour events and his stellar play continues, three of college golf’s best players could be PGA Tour members by next summer.