13 big names who missed out on securing PGA Tour cards at Q-School final

PGA Tour Q-School is often described as golf’s most unforgiving week — and this year’s final stage proved exactly why. With just five PGA Tour cards available at Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club, the margin for error was razor thin. 

While AJ Ewart and four others celebrated earning full PGA Tour status for 2026, the flip side of the story was just as striking.

A remarkable list of established PGA Tour winners, proven contenders and recognisable names were left empty-handed. 

From multiple-time Tour champions to recent winners and players still in their prime, PGA Tour Q-School once again showed that reputation counts for nothing when the pressure peaks.

Only five players progressed. Everyone else — no matter their past success — was sent back to the Korn Ferry Tour or left facing a season of uncertainty.

Scroll down to see which of the biggest names missed out on securing their PGA Tour cards for 2026 at the Q School final on Sunday... 

Camilo Villegas (T7, 10-under)

Villegas came agonisingly close. A late surge of four birdies wasn’t enough to undo a costly double bogey on the ninth hole, which ultimately left him one shot short of the playoff for the final card. The 43-year-old five-time PGA Tour winner now faces the long road back via the Korn Ferry Tour.

Russell Knox (T29, 6-under)

The two-time PGA Tour winner from Scotland never truly threatened the top five. Knox has struggled for form in recent seasons, with his last win coming at the 2018 Irish Open. Now 40, and without a full PGA Tour season since 2023, he’ll have to try again on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2026.

Doug Ghim (T42, 4-under)

Ghim entered Q-School seeking full status after finishing 113th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings. He came up well short. The former Ben Hogan Award winner still has conditional PGA Tour status, but will once again need to grind on the Korn Ferry Tour to force his way back.

Justin Lower (T42, 4-under)

Lower has been a familiar name on leaderboards without ever breaking through for a win. Like Ghim, he carries conditional status after finishing 120th in the FedEx Cup, but Q-School offered a chance for security — one he couldn’t take. At 36, time is still on his side.

Luke List (T42, 4-under)

It’s remarkable to see a two-time PGA Tour winner in this position. List’s last victory came in 2022, but a difficult season left him 160th in the FedEx Cup standings. He now has no PGA Tour starts lined up for 2026 and must reset on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Sam Ryder (T54, 3-under)

Best remembered for his ace at the iconic 16th hole at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open, Ryder has often flirted with contention without sealing the deal. He retains conditional status after finishing 123rd in the FedEx Cup, but will spend much of 2026 on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Adam Hadwin (T62, 2-under)

Another eye-catching omission. Hadwin endured a miserable four days and never got going. The 2017 Valspar Championship winner finished 139th in the FedEx Cup, meaning he’s lost his card entirely and faces a full season on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Taylor Moore (T62, 2-under)

Moore, also a former Valspar winner, saw his exemption expire after a disappointing season. He finished 121st in the FedEx Cup to earn conditional status, but Q-School was his chance to avoid a return to the Korn Ferry Tour — and he couldn’t capitalise.

Andrew Putnam (T79, 1-under)

The 2018 Barracuda Championship winner has shown flashes in recent seasons, but consistency has been an issue. Putnam finished 114th in the FedEx Cup to earn conditional status, though most of his 2026 campaign will likely be spent on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Cameron Champ (T92, 1-over)

One of the biggest shocks. A three-time PGA Tour winner and once one of the longest hitters in the game, Champ’s career has stalled since a wrist injury in 2021. Finishing 147th in the FedEx Cup, he now faces a complete reset on the Korn Ferry Tour. At just 30, time is on his side — but the climb back looks steep.

Hayden Springer (T111, 3-over)

Springer briefly caught the spotlight with a 59 at the 2024 John Deere Classic, but consistency has eluded him. He narrowly missed conditional status at 131st in the FedEx Cup and now heads back to the Korn Ferry Tour at just 28 years old.

Harry Higgs (T111, 3-over)

One of the Tour’s biggest personalities endured a forgettable week. Higgs finished 132nd in the FedEx Cup and then failed to contend at Q-School. A three-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, he’ll hope that circuit once again provides a platform to rebound.

Lanto Griffin (T120, 4-over)

While Ben Griffin (no relation) enjoyed a breakout season, it was the opposite story for Lanto. The 2019 Houston Open champion scraped conditional status by finishing 125th in the FedEx Cup but was unable to secure full status at Q-School. At 37, he’ll be keen to make a quick return.

Check out all the scores at Q School here