North Carolina's David Ford tops PGA Tour University Class of 2025, earns PGA Tour card
CARLSBAD, Calif. — David Ford joined an exclusive club Monday.
He became the third player in the history of the PGA Tour to earn his Tour membership via PGA Tour University class rankings, following in Ludvig Aberg and Michael Thorbjornsen's footsteps. And it became official as soon as stroke play ended Monday at the 2025 NCAA Men's Golf Championship.
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The fifth PGA Tour University rankings were finalized Monday, and the top-25 golfers secured status on varying professional tours. But it was Ford taking home the top prize.
Players who finished Nos. 2-5 in the final PGA Tour U rankings earned fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2025, as well as an exemption to final stage of 2025 PGA Tour Q-School.
Players who finished Nos. 6-10 earned Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2025, fully exempt membership on PGA Tour Americas for 2026 through the Latin America swing, as well as an exemption to second stage of 2025 PGA Tour Q-School.
Then, Nos. 11-25 earned fully exempt membership on PGA Tour Americas for 2025, as well as an exemption to second stage of 2025 PGA Tour Q-School.
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The program is designed to streamline the process for college players to advance to the professional level while also rewarding those who honor their college commitments. Players must play on the NCAA Division I level and complete a minimum of four years in college to be eligible for PGA Tour U.
PGA Tour University Class of 2025 final standings
No. 1. David Ford, North Carolina
Ford's senior season was stellar, picking up five wins. He was one of the finalists for the Haskins Award and made his professional debut last week at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth playing on a sponsor exemption. Now, he's a PGA Tour member.
No. 2. Brendan Valdes, Auburn
Last year, Valdes helped Auburn win its first title in school history. He has been a member of the Arnold Palmer Cup team and a past All-America selection.
No. 3. Josele Ballester, Arizona State
Ballester won the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National and became the first Spaniard to win the Havemeyer Trophy. Picked up one win as a senior.
No. 4. Ian Gilligan, Florida
Gilligan, who transferred from Long Beach State to Florida, has been a big part of the Gators' lineup his past two years and collected six wins during his college career.
No. 5. Jackson Van Paris, Vanderbilt
Van Paris was Vanderbilt's best player this season, and he shined down the stretch to move up into the fifth spot.
Nos. 6-10
6. Phichaksn Maichon, Texas A&M
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7. Preston Summerhays, Arizona State
8. Sebastian Moss, Louisville
9. Omar Morales, UCLA
10. Pablo Ereno Perez, UCLA
Nos. 11-25
No. 11. Algot Kleen, LSU
No. 12. Jackson Buchanan, Illinois
No. 13. Justin Hastings, San Diego State
No. 14. Carson Bacha, Auburn
No. 15. Drew Goodman, Oklahoma
No. 16. Caden Fioroni, UNLV
No. 17. Calum Scott, Texas Tech
No. 18. Buck Brumlow, Georgia
No. 19. Jake Peacock, South Florida
No. 20. Enrique Dimayuga, SMU
No. 21. Nathan Franks, South Carolina
No. 22. Kieron van Wyk, Charleston
No. 23. Gray Albright, Florida State
No. 24. Hunter Thomson, Michigan
No. 25. Nicholas Mathews, NC State
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Final PGA Tour University Class of 2025 rankings: David Ford wins card
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