Rayhan Thomas secures 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Card, moves closer to PGA dream

Dubai-born Rayhan Thomas (India) has once again made his mark on professional golf, successfully earning his Korn Ferry Tour card for 2026 after a challenging Final Stage at the PGA Tour Qualifying School.

Over four rounds across TPC Sawgrass Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club, Thomas fired scores of 70, 69, 65, and 72 for a 72-hole total of four under par 276. His performance was enough to secure a spot among the top 40 players and ties, granting him Korn Ferry Tour status for the upcoming season.

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The 26-year-old showcased his skill and consistency despite the challenges posed by the longer-than-usual courses following recent wet weather. Across the week, he recorded 14 birdies and an eagle, with just a single double bogey on the 13th hole in the final round.

For Thomas, this marks the second consecutive year he has earned Korn Ferry Tour status, having finished 88th in the Points Table last season, narrowly outside the 75th spot required to retain his card.

Thomas reflected on his achievement, saying: “I am pleased to have got my card again. It is a long Qualifying process through First and Second Stage as well as the Final Stages, even though it was only by the smallest of margins.

Pleased but slightly unlucky

“I was happy with my overall game and how I played all week – but was a little unlucky with a couple of poor decisions, especially in my final round.”

Looking ahead, Thomas will return to Dubai to spend time with family and friends before preparing for the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season, which starts on January 11 with two events in the Bahamas. He noted: “I now have my Korn Ferry Tour schedule with a minimum of eight starts guaranteed for next season. I will also play in a few other tournaments outside of the Korn Ferry Tour on an invite basis. It is a relief to ensure

“I have a job for 2026. I will recharge my batteries over Christmas and be ready for a fast start for 2026,” he added. “I have played at most of the golf courses on the schedule – and experience and golf course knowledge is very important at this level – small margins are what make the difference.

“There are opportunities for re-shuffles and re-ranking during the season, which I hope to be involved with.”

Under the revised PGA Tour regulations, the top 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour at the end of 2026 will earn full PGA Tour cards, down from the top 30 in 2025. Those finishing 21 through 75 retain current status, while 76–100 achieve conditional status.

At the PGA Tour School, A. J. Ewart claimed medalist honors at 14 under par, with Dylan Wu taking the fifth and final PGA Tour card at 11 under after a one-hole playoff. Thomas’ finish puts him firmly on track to continue climbing toward his ultimate goal of earning a PGA Tour card.