2020-21 Rookie Watch

With a 36-hole aggregate of 1-under 139 at the Sony Open in Hawaii last week, Rafael Campos improved on last year’s debut performance by 15 strokes, and he still missed the cut by three. So it goes at Waialae Country Club where if you don’t go low, you go home.

Campos hit 25 of 36 greens in regulation but he converted only six of those chances for par breakers (all birdies) and squared bogeys on five of the 11 holes he didn’t find in regulation.

As the PGA TOUR’s only rookie right now, it was an opportunity for Campos to command the conversation for Rookie of the Year potential, should it be determined that there will be one this season. Barring injury or another unforeseen roadblock, Will Zalatoris will qualify officially at some point, but he didn’t compete in Hawaii.

Non-members MJ Daffue and Takumi Kanaya did peg it, but both also missed the cut. It was Daffue’s third start via open qualifying this season. Kanaya gained entry via one of the three designated sponsor exemptions reserved for golfers from Japan and emerging countries in golf.

Two non-members not included below survived the cut on Oahu.

Nick Hardy, another four-spotter, led the way with a five-way T14 worth the equivalent of 53 FedExCup points. Ryosuke Kinoshita finished T67 in what was his first start on the PGA TOUR.

Like Alex Smalley, who banked 51 non-member FedExCup with a seven-way share of 14th place at Corales in the fall, Hardy’s projection to generate attention as a potential rookie on the PGA TOUR this season is low, so he has not been added to the table. Of course, should either make noise again, their inclusion will be reconsidered.

Rafael Campos (only 2020-21 PGA TOUR rookie)

Starts = 5
Cuts Made = 1
FedExCup Points = 6.257
FedExCup Rank = 215
Last Start = MC (Sony)
Next = Third alternate at The American Express as of Jan. 17.

* - In the field at The American Express as of Jan. 17.

^ - The value beside Will Zalatoris reflects where he would rank among members with his total of equivalent FedExCup points. If he's inside the top 125 at the conclusion of the Wyndham Championship, he'll earn PGA TOUR membership in 2021-22. He can become a member this season with a victory on the PGA TOUR or with two more wins on the Korn Ferry Tour.

Non-members: Through the Sony Open in Hawaii

* - Because the 2019-20 season was contracted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this season's target for Special Temporary Membership is 288.035 FedExCup points. It's what Martin Kaymer totaled en route to ranking 150th in the FedExCup during the 2018-19 season. Non-members who achieve STM receive numerous benefits, three of which are primary as it concerns opportunities to compete on the PGA TOUR: 1) Unlimited sponsor exemptions; 2) Unlimited starts; 3) Position in the Beyond 150 Reshuffle. However, a non-member who achieves STM remains ineligible for the FedExCup Playoffs unless he wins a tournament.

NOTE: The Player Advisory Council and the Player Directors nominate annually a list of first-season PGA TOUR members for the PGA TOUR members for the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. A player’s rookie season (“Rookie Year”) is defined as the season in which he becomes a PGA TOUR member (including Special Temporary Members) and plays in 10 or more events as a member or finishes in the Top 125 on the official FedExCup points list or qualifies as a Top 125 non-member, whichever occurs first. Further, for purposes of this definition, a new member (including Special Temporary Members) shall not be eligible to be a rookie if he has previously played in more than seven official PGA TOUR money events as a professional in any prior season. PGA TOUR members who have played in at least 15 official money tournaments vote on this award. The Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and Olympic Games each count as one the 15. In their discretion, the Player Advisory Council and Player Directors may determine that circumstances (the potential lack of nominees due to the absence of 2020 graduating class from the Korn Ferry Tour) may not warrant the selection of an award recipient in the 2020-21 season.