PGA Tour or college golf? Though the decision may seem an obvious one, Gordon Sargent chooses to remain at Vanderbilt. The World Number 1 ranked amateur golfer is in no rush to start playing on Tour, and will return to the university’s golf team for his 2024-25 senior season.
Sargent is one of the best amateur golfers in the world. Just two weeks after his 20th birthday last summer, he tied for 39th in the U.S. Open, earning him a low amateur status and turning the heads of the pros also competing in one of the most difficult events on tour. As only a sophomore, he was awarded full-time PGA Tour status due to his incredible playing on the Vanderbilt team. Even with these accomplishments and the backing he’s received from the PGA, Sargent is waiting until after graduation to start his professional career.
The decision became public yesterday morning, a decision that will extend Sargent’s amateur career by another year. The 21 year old spoke with the Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine about the struggle to come to his final choice, saying, “Was kind of hoping a decision would come clear and obviously there’s not going to be a perfect answer. But I was weighing my options and I mean, after just playing a few college events in the spring, I think you really appreciate how much you enjoy college golf. After reviewing with my parents, coaches and team-wise, it just kind of seemed like it was the best thing for me. I could stay in Nashville and continue to get better” (via GOLF webpage).
Sargent’s career so far has been nothing short of formidable. Less that 18 months ago, he became the ninth freshman in NCAA history to win an individual title at a Division I Championship. He competed in two majors in 2023, the Masters and the U.S. Open, not to mention he was the first NCAA champ to receive the special invite to Augusta, made the cut at the John Deere Classic that July, and if that wasn’t enough, is the first and only player to receive 20 points from the PGA Tour University’s Accelerated program since its launch two falls ago; this feat earned him his Tour card after competing in the World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi last October. Sargent also received the McCormack Medal for being named the number 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) after going 4-0 and leading the U.S. team to victory at the Walker Cup in 2021. His standings in the WAGR gets him into both Opens this summer.
Sargent’s announcement comes on the heels of Nick Dunlap’s amateur-to-pro switch after his tremendous win at The American Express in January. Dunlap had said that making the decision to turn pro was the “easiest-hardest decision” he’s ever had to make. In this NIL age, it appears that making the selection to either become a professional athlete or continue with your college career is more and more difficult. One benefit for Sargent though is a guaranteed 18 months of Tour membership irregardless of what happens during the remainder of his college career.
Whenever Gordon Sargent chooses to join the PGA, the reputation he has already built for himself will make him a key player to watch during tournaments. Keep an eye out for what he achieves now as his last season at Vanderbilt is approaching.
Photo Credit: Kathryn Riley, USGA
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