Austin Hitt Won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship
Austin Hitt secured his 2027 PGA Tour card with a victory at The Federal Club in Richmond.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Golf
Austin Hitt clinched the Korn Ferry Tour Championship after shooting a final round five-under 66. With this win, Hitt moved from 22nd to sixth in the season points standings, successfully securing his spot on the 2027 PGA Tour.
Why it matters
The victory marks a pivotal career advancement for Hitt, providing him with a full PGA Tour card for the upcoming season. The performance at The Federal Club concludes a successful developmental campaign for the former college golfer.
Hitt earned $270,000 for his win and recorded a clutch 50-foot birdie on the 14th hole. This victory capped a season that followed his college career at North Carolina, where he maintained a 72.20 stroke average.
The players
Austin Hitt
He is a professional golfer who played collegiate golf at the University of North Carolina.
Aubrey Milan Hitt III
He was an inductee of the Roanoke College Athletics Hall of Fame and the father of Austin Hitt.
Blades Brown
He is a 19-year-old golfer who finished as the runner-up at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
The details
Hitt demonstrated resilience during the final round, including a drive on the third hole that struck a tree before bouncing back into the fairway. He held off 19-year-old runner-up Blades Brown to claim the title at the Richmond-area course.
Timeline
Aubrey Milan Hitt III entered the Roanoke College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.
Austin Hitt's father, Aubrey Milan Hitt III, passed away on February 13, 2024.
Hitt won the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in October 2026.
Hitt will begin his PGA Tour season in January 2027.
Season Trajectory
This win fundamentally alters Hitt's professional future by granting him full status on the top-tier PGA Tour. It effectively concludes his tenure in the developmental circuit and inserts him into the highly competitive landscape of the world's premier golf organization.
By jumping to sixth in the season points standings, Hitt secured his playing card for the 2027 PGA Tour. This shift guarantees his inclusion in the field for major events starting this coming January.
The takeaway
Hitt's ability to maintain composure after hitting a tree shows the mental fortitude required for the next level. His transition to the PGA Tour highlights the high stakes of late-season tournament performance in professional golf.
What happens next
Austin Hitt will begin competing in the 2027 PGA Tour season starting in January.
Further reading
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