Tar Heels Earn Spots on 2027 PGA Tour
Austin Hitt and Dylan Menante have secured their PGA Tour cards for the upcoming 2027 season.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Golf
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Austin Hitt and Dylan Menante have earned their 2027 PGA Tour cards after finishing in the top 20 of the Korn Ferry Tour standings. They join three other University of North Carolina alumni to form a group of five Tar Heels competing on the tour next year.
Why it matters
The performance of these five golfers highlights the continued success of the University of North Carolina golf program in producing professional talent. Their graduation to the PGA Tour expands the presence of North Carolina representatives at the highest level of professional golf.
The top 20 players on the Korn Ferry Tour points list at the end of the season earn PGA Tour cards. Austin Hitt finished 6th while Dylan Menante finished 13th in the final 2026 season-long standings.
The players
Austin Hitt
He is a former University of North Carolina golfer who secured his PGA Tour card after winning the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
Dylan Menante
He is a former Tar Heel who earned a PGA Tour card by finishing 13th in the Korn Ferry Tour season-long standings.
Ben Griffin
He is a University of North Carolina alumnus who has earned more than $22 million in his professional PGA Tour career.
Ryan Gerard
He is a former Tar Heel golfer who earned more than $10 million on the PGA Tour during the 2026 season.
David Ford
He is a Tar Heels alumnus who won the 2025 PGA Tour U competition to qualify for professional play.
The details
Austin Hitt secured his spot by winning the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in Glen Allen, Virginia, climbing from 22nd to 6th in the final rankings. He will compete alongside fellow alumni Ben Griffin, David Ford, and Ryan Gerard on the 2027 PGA Tour.
Timeline
Ben Griffin played for the Tar Heels from 2014-2018.
Austin Hitt played for the Tar Heels from 2016-2021.
Dylan Menante played for the Tar Heels from 2023-2025.
David Ford won the PGA Tour U competition in 2025.
The 2027 PGA Tour season begins in January 2027 at The American Express.
Season Trajectory
The rise of these five Tar Heels significantly strengthens the University of North Carolina representation in the professional ranks. This influx of talent impacts the competitive balance of the 2027 PGA Tour season as these players establish their presence among the game's elite.
The qualification of these five players ensures that fans will see a high volume of Tar Heel alumni competing in major events throughout the 2027 season. This development creates significant storylines for betting and fantasy golf coverage as these players bring their collegiate success to the professional tour.
The takeaway
The successful transition of these players into the professional ranks highlights the importance of collegiate programs in shaping future PGA Tour competitors. Aspiring golfers can look to this pipeline as a primary pathway for accessing elite-level professional opportunities.
What happens next
The 2027 PGA Tour season is scheduled to begin in January 2027 at The American Express in La Quinta, California.
Further reading
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