What Is 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Finals graduates

Overview

The 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Finals was a series of four tournaments designed to determine which players earned PGA Tour cards for the 2019–2020 season. These events served as a bridge between the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour, offering players a final chance to secure full status.

Graduates were determined by a separate points list accumulated during the Finals, not the regular-season standings. The top 25 players on this list earned promotion, joining the PGA Tour for the following season.

• 25 PGA Tour cards were awarded based on Finals points, with each event contributing to the cumulative standings.
• The Finals began on August 13, 2019, with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in Columbus, Ohio.
• Stephan Jaeger won the first event and earned 500,000 in prize money, boosting his promotion chances.
• Players ranked between 26th and 75th on the regular-season points list were eligible to compete in the Finals.
• Those who finished in the top 25 of the Finals points list secured full PGA Tour membership for 2019–2020.

How It Works

The Korn Ferry Tour Finals operates as a promotion system where players compete across four events to earn PGA Tour status. Performance in these tournaments determines who advances, combining merit with opportunity.

• Finals Points List: A separate points system tracks performance only during the four Finals events. Points are earned based on finishes, with higher placements yielding more points.
• Eligibility: Players who finished between 26th and 75th on the regular Korn Ferry Tour points list qualified for the Finals. This ensured only consistent performers had a shot.
• PGA Tour Cards: The top 25 players on the Finals points list earned full PGA Tour membership for the next season, granting access to most tournaments.
• Tournament Format: Each event followed standard 72-hole stroke play, with cut rules after 36 holes reducing the field for weekends.
• Prize Money: Each event offered purses ranging from $1 million to $1.25 million, with winners earning $180,000–$225,000.
• Combined Pathway: Players could also earn cards via the regular-season points list; the Finals served as a second-chance opportunity for those just outside the top 25.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Finals events, including dates, locations, and key outcomes:

The Finals featured diverse venues across the U.S., with each tournament contributing to the final standings. Notably, Matthew Wolff won the final event and finished high enough to earn his PGA Tour card, later becoming a standout rookie.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Finals played a crucial role in shaping the PGA Tour’s roster, offering a merit-based promotion system. It allowed talented players who narrowly missed regular-season qualification a final opportunity to prove themselves.

• Stephan Jaeger used his Finals win to gain momentum, securing his PGA Tour status and improving his world ranking.
• Matthew Wolff, though already highly ranked, solidified his status and went on to win on the PGA Tour in 2020.
• The structure ensures competitive depth on the PGA Tour by promoting in-form players at season’s end.
• For sponsors and host cities, the Finals brought national TV exposure and boosted local tourism.
• Players outside the top 25 in the regular season, like Paul Barjon, used the Finals to leap into the spotlight.
• The system reinforces the Korn Ferry Tour as a legitimate pathway to professional golf’s highest level.

By combining performance incentives with structured access, the Korn Ferry Tour Finals remains a vital component of golf’s developmental ecosystem.