Gordon Sargent, the No 1. ranked amateur golfer, made a bold and surprising decision about his future on Thursday.
The Vanderbilt junior announced through Instagram that he would return to school for his senior year instead of turning pro.
“I am excited to announce that I’ll be returning to Vanderbilt for my senior year in 2024-2025,” Sargent wrote. “It’s been an honor to represent this university alongside my teammates and coaches, and I look forward to continuing to compete — and further my education — at this amazing place that has given so much to me.”
Last October, Sargent earned 20 points in the Accelerated program to earn his PGA Tour card when he teed it up at the World Amateur Team Championship in Abu Dhabi. Since the Tour rolled out that program two years ago, Sargent is still the only player to tally that many points.
He may have the speed and resume to suggest that the 21-year-old is ready for the professional stage, but it was not easy for him to make the decision.
“There’s not going to be a perfect answer,” Sargent said to NBC Sports. “After playing a few college events in the spring, I think you appreciate how much you enjoy college golf. After reviewing with my parents, coaches and team-wise, it just seemed like it was the best thing for me. I could stay in Nashville and continue to get better.”
He won the NCAA Individual title as a freshman in 2021. Sargent was also the first NCAA champion to earn an invite to the Masters last year. The Birmingham, Ala., native went onto one of the biggest stages in golf and finished as low amateur at Los Angeles Country Club for the U.S. Open.
His hot streak in 2023 did not end there. Sargent’s perfect 4-0 record led Team USA to a Walker Cup victory at St. Andrews. He also attained the McCormack Medal as the No. 1 World Amateur Golf ranking at the end of the summer. That accomplishment gets Sargent into the U.S. Open at Pinehurst and the Open Championship at Royal Troon this year.
Sargent finally won his first tournament during his junior campaign at Vanderbilt’s home tournament, the Mason Rudolph Championship. It marked his fifth top-10 of the year.
Now that he has made his decision and knows his PGA Tour card is secured, Sargent can enjoy golf.
“I think there were a lot of expectations this year,” Sargent said. “I think just staying another year, being a senior, enjoying the college life — also knowing there’s a PGA Tour card still waiting for you, it gives you a lot of freedom if you need to make some changes and stuff. Off the golf course, continue to mature and prepare myself for the future.”
Once his eligibility is up, Sargent can still take his PGA Tour membership in May 2025 following the NCAA Championships. He will also have full status through the 2026 season.
Vanderbilt heads into the SEC Championship tournament at Sea Island, where they are arguably the team to beat. Following conference play, they will also likely be a No. 1 seed at an NCAA Regional.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.
