Gordon Sargent is deferring his PGA Tour status until next summer and will return to Vanderbilt for his senior year, he announced Thursday.
Sargent, 20, already has a tour card secured thanks to the PGA Tour University Accelerated program, the first golfer to earn a card that way.
“Was kind of hoping a decision would come clear, and obviously nothing’s just going to. There’s not going to be a perfect answer,” Sargent said, according to Golf Channel. “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 teamwise, it just kind of seemed like it was the best thing for me. I could stay in Nashville and continue to get better.”
Currently the world’s top-ranked amateur, Sargent won the NCAA individual title as a freshman in 2022 and received a special invitation to the Masters last year, shooting rounds of 77 and 76. He made the cut at the U.S. Open last year, finishing as the low amateur and in a tie for 39th. The two-time All-American also received the McCormack Medal as the No. 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking at the end of the amateur calendar.
Sargent can revisit his PGA Tour membership situation, as he maintains full status through the 2026 season.
“I think there were a lot of expectations this year, and we’re looking forward to the postseason, but I think just staying another year, being a senior, enjoying the college life and while also knowing, I mean knowing there’s a PGA Tour card still waiting for you, it gives you a lot of freedom if you need to make some changes and stuff,” Sargent said. “Then off the golf course, just continue to mature as a person and just better prepare myself for the future.”
Field Level Media contributed to this report.