By Will Doctor, PGATOUR.com
Five players on bubble watch into Utah Championship
Farmington, UT (August 2, 2022) — As the Korn Ferry Tour descends upon Salt Lake City for this week’s Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, the heat is on.
A pair of events remain in the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season, and players on the bubble of the top 25 or top 75 on the Regular Season Points List are pushing the panic button.
Veterans familiar with this position try to channel their past experiences to elevate their game. A rookie’s attention to routine and superstition has never been greater. With 25 PGA TOUR cards to be awarded at the end of the Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season, many members are one win away from catapulting inside the magic number.
Two weeks ago, David Kocher jumped from No. 114 to No. 30 after rounds of 63-66-65-66 to win the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper. Kocher, a four-year pro out of the University of Maryland, did not previously have a top-10 finish in 2022. His last victory before the Price Cutter came in 2020 at the El Bosque Mexico Championship by INNOVA, where he beat now-PGA TOUR members Paul Barjon and Chad Ramey in a playoff.
Following this week’s Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, the Korn Ferry Tour will motor to the Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Aetna in Omaha, Nebraska for the Regular Season finale.
Kevin Yu, the 23-year-old PGA TOUR University alum out of Arizona State, finished T2 at the Price Cutter Charity Championship and moved from No. 32 to No. 18, onto the verge of his first TOUR card.
Moving down the Points List, another critical benchmark exists at No. 75. Upon the conclusion of the Pinnacle Bank Championship, the top 75 will gain entry into the three-event Korn Ferry Tour Finals, with another opportunity to earn a TOUR card via The Finals 25.
Sam Saunders, former PGA TOUR member and grandson of Arnold Palmer, moved from No. 95 to No. 74 after a T8 finish at the Price Cutter Charity Championship. Saunders will need to remain inside No. 75 on the points list to advance to the Finals.
Players who finish the Regular Season inside the top 75 also secure full Korn Ferry Tour status for 2023. Players No. 76-85 gain direct entry to Final Stage of Q-School; No. 86-100 advance directly to Second Stage.
Here’s a look at five players on the bubble with two events remaining in the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Regular Season: