At simply 20 years previous, Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent secured his PGA Tour card in historic style.

Sargent is the primary participant to graduate from the PGA Tour College’s Accelerated program, which is ironic since Sargent is infamous for his superior swing speeds of 185 mph — pun meant.

As quickly as he teed off within the first spherical of the World Novice Staff Championship on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, Sargent glad the 20-point requirement by way of this new accelerated program.

The Commodore golfer will give Ludvig Aberg firm as these two kids look to take over the skilled golf realm.

“Since profitable the NCAA Championship as a freshman, Gordon has persistently confirmed himself as one of many high amateurs within the sport, and he’s very deserving of turning into the primary underclassman to earn PGA Tour membership by way of PGA Tour College Accelerated,” stated PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan per a press launch. “We sit up for welcoming him to the PGA Tour after he concludes his collegiate profession at Vanderbilt.”

He received’t turn out to be skilled instantly however can take up his full PGA Tour membership after the NCAA Championship concludes in Might. Sargent will likely be eligible for open, full-field occasions for the remainder of the 2024 season and the next one.

Sargent is No. 2 within the World Novice Golf rankings. He entered this week with 19 factors and earned the twentieth as soon as he started competitors as a member of the U.S. Staff.

Just some months after Aberg turned the primary PGA Tour College member to earn full-time standing, Sargent made historical past as the primary underclassman to take action. Since Aberg earned full-time standing, he has posted 4 top-5 finishes in his first 10 begins as a professional. He additionally received the DP World Tour’s Omega European Masters.

The younger Swede is on a meteoric rise in skilled golf. However he seemingly won’t be alone as soon as Sargent turns professional subsequent yr.

PGA Tour Accelerated Program

The PGA Tour accelerated program was introduced final November as a method for high-achieving underclassmen to earn a Tour membership. Golfers earned factors based mostly on their accomplishments in school, beginner {and professional} occasions. If a participant makes 20 factors by the tip of their third yr of NCAA eligibility, they will turn out to be eligible for membership.

Sargent earned his first three factors on Might 30, 2022, when he received the person NCAA title. He received two factors on June 1, 2022, when he was awarded the 2022 NCAA Division I Excellent Freshman Award. Sargent earned one other level competing for america within the Arnold Palmer Cup final July.

One other was awarded to him Aug. 2022 for competing on the World Novice Staff Championships.

The 20-year-old earned 5 factors for being the No. 1 ranked beginner on Feb. 13. He performed within the Masters Championship at Augusta Nationwide, choosing up a degree there as effectively. One other Arnold Palmer Cup look acquired him to 14 factors.

He made his second main championship begin on the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Nation Membership to earn one other level. Sargent made the lower that week and earned low beginner honors, inching himself nearer to that 20-point mark. He made one other PGA Tour lower on the John Deer Traditional to present him 17 factors.

When he went 4-0-0 and helped Staff USA win the Walker Cup earlier this fall, it put him at 19 factors. That put him on the precipice this week in Abu Dhabi.

The Vandy sophomore has already had collegiate battles towards Aberg. Fairly quickly, they’ll battle it out on the largest levels weekly.

Sargent is the following up-and-coming star for the PGA Tour. He has already proven he can deal with the strain. Now, he has locked up his card. Who will win a PGA Tour occasion first — Aberg or Sargent?

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You may observe her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for extra golf protection. You’ll want to take a look at @_PlayingThrough too.