Go inside PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry with 'The Final Stage' behind-the-scenes documentary
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Preview ‘The Final Stage’ from PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry
Written by Staff
“Is it enough?”
It’s a common question in the working world as we navigate our career paths and strive for what might be next. In the world of professional golf, this question becomes most pronounced at Q-School, where players navigate the ultimate interview gauntlet as they chase job security for the upcoming season.
James Nicholas asked this question after making birdie on his final hole at Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, completing a torrid run of four birdies in his final six holes. A few moments later, the Yale alum confirmed the good news – it was enough to secure guaranteed starts on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour. For the first time in his professional career, he won’t need to worry about alternate lists on the Korn Ferry Tour, at least for the first eight events. He breathed a sigh of relief as the reality simmered in, then grew emotional in his post-round interview, thinking of everyone who has helped him along the way.
“The Final Stage: PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry” is a behind-the-scenes PGA TOUR Originals documentary tracing the various storylines that unfolded across 72 holes at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course and Sawgrass Country Club (two rounds at each course). “The Final Stage” was released Friday on the PGA TOUR’s YouTube channel.
"We wanted to encapsulate the vibe of how much stress these guys feel throughout the entire week," said the documentary's lead producer Elise Tallent. "It's an honor to tell their stories. If we can earn every guy in this piece at least one fan from watching this video, we did our jobs."
"We're grateful to the players for allowing us into their minds and goals going into this week," added the documentary's lead editor Steven Eggert. "As long as you go through all the stages, you can go from Joe Shmoe to a TOUR pro, and being able to encapsulate the whole process with that is something you don't find in any other sport."
At Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, the top five finishers and ties earned 2025 PGA TOUR membership. The next 40 finishers and ties earned guaranteed starts on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour, with remaining finishers earning PGA TOUR Americas membership and conditional Korn Ferry Tour membership.
The 72-hole Final Stage extravaganza featured a diverse mix of up-and-coming talents and wily veterans. Some desperately fought for the top five (and a PGA TOUR card), while others considered the next 40 (for guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour starts) a significant victory.
Some players entered Final Stage with a secure Korn Ferry Tour playing schedule, like 30-year-old Will Cannon (a featured member of "The Final Stage" cast), who finished sixth on the PGA TOUR Americas’ season-long Fortinet Cup and was playing with a heavy heart just three months after the passing of his dad John.
Recent University of Tennessee graduate Bryce Lewis (another featured cast member), who nearly died in a car accident earlier this fall, arrived in northeast Florida with a renewed perspective, grateful to be alive. Yet he also strived for a secure playing schedule in his first full season as a pro, whether on the PGA TOUR or Korn Ferry Tour.
Others prominently featured in "The Final Stage" include Jin Chung, a 36-year-old teaching pro who qualified for Final Stage for the first time after roughly a dozen tries, and Will Chandler, who began the year with zero status on any PGA TOUR-sanctioned tour but authored a Cinderella-like run through Korn Ferry Tour Monday qualifiers to earn Special Temporary Membership, then advanced through Second Stage to punch his ticket to Final Stage.
The storylines developed throughout the week and built to a crescendo in the final round, where in many cases the chase for a PGA TOUR card (or guaranteed Korn Ferry Tour starts) came down to the final moments.
