Ben Kohles gambles and wins: Instead of the Korn Ferry Tour, he’s putting everything on Japan and moving closer to a PGA Tour Card. It was a calculated risk that truly paid off for Ben Kohles, who took his final shot at the coveted PGA Tour Card not on the Korn Ferry Tour, but in distant Japan. With a tied 17th place at the Baycurrent Classic, he secured 48 crucial FedExCup points, proving that sometimes you have to take the unconventional route.
Kohles found himself in a tricky spot before this season: After a weak prior season, he only held conditional status and was set to play nine of his first eleven tournaments on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2026. His triumph at the BMW Charity Pro-Am in June was a true game-changer, catapulting him back into contention. He was effectively pursuing two avenues to achieve his goal – either breaking into the Top 20 of the Korn Ferry Tour or securing a spot on the PGA Tour via the FedExCup standings.
High Stakes in Japan
Instead of playing the final three Korn Ferry Tour events, Kohles seized his opportunities on the PGA Tour, competing in Asheville and Utah, where he notched a tied 15th and tied 13th finish. This moved him from 96th to 84th in the FedExCup standings. However, the real game-changer came with the trip to Japan: his final 3-under 68 was a stellar round, propelling him to T17 at the Baycurrent Classic and lifting him to 80th in the FedExCup. These points are invaluable for securing his PGA Tour status for 2027.
Thrills and Bitter Pills
The gamble to Japan is paying dividends. While a top-100 finish isn't mathematically guaranteed yet, with five remaining FedExCup Fall Events (he plans to play four of them), things look very promising. One recalls the bitter moment at the John Deere Classic when Kohles, with victory in sight, hit his ball into the water on the 18th and ultimately missed a seemingly certain bogey putt. That single hole cost him 100 points and a hefty $318,200. But Kohles has learned from past setbacks and, with his Japan gamble, has shown he's willing to give everything for the dream of the PGA Tour.
