Luke Clanton chases cut, Tour card but falls just short at 2025 WM Phoenix Open

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On in two on the par-5 15th hole, Luke Clanton was staring down a 30-footer for eagle. Sitting at 1 over, however, the hotshot amateur who currently plays at Florida State was running out of time.

The projected cut line was sitting at 2 under at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. The top-ranked amateur in the world, who has already made eight cuts in 10 starts on the PGA Tour with four top-10s, came into the week one point away from earning his tour card via the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. He got his 19th point two days ago thanks to his No. 1 WAGR ranking for a 26th week. One more made cut on the PGA Tour would give him the clinching 20th point.

His eagle putt on 15 looked great and was tracking. But his ball came to a stop on the edge, one rotation from tumbling in. Still, he made birdie to get to even par. After a par on 16, Clanton drove his ball to the front edge of the par-4 17th, chipped on and made another birdie. That made him 1 under for the week. He still needed one more birdie to get to 2 under and get on the right side of the cut.

A 345-yard drive on the closing hole left him 110 yards out. He then hit his third to 20 feet. After sizing up the birdie putt, he couldn't convert, his putt staying left and staying out of the cup. Clanton then covered his face with his hands, an opportunity lost.

It's inevitable that he'll secure that 20th point, and he can accept his tour card following the conclusion of his junior season, but Clanton's late-day drama gave Friday's round some added intrigue.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: WM Phoenix Open 2025: Luke Clanton just misses cut, PGA Tour card