Luke Clanton Wins Latest College Event Ahead Of PGA Tour Return
The Amateur World No.1 claimed the Watersound Invitational on the collegiate circuit, with Clanton set to make his PGA Tour return at the Congnizant Classic


Luke Clanton's stock continues to rise in the golf world, with the World No.1 amateur producing a fine display on his collegiate golf return.
Playing the Watersound Invitational at Sharks Tooth Golf Club in Florida, the 21-year-old recovered from a one-over-par first round to fire a 66 and 67 to win the tournament by three strokes from Jones Free and Jonathan Griz, as Clanton made his return after trying to secure his PGA Tour card.
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The victory is his fifth collegiate win of his career and comes just a week prior to his next PGA Tour start, which on Tuesday, was revealed to be the Cognizant Classic.
Recently, Clanton narrowly missed a birdie putt at the WM Phoenix Open to secure his PGA Tour card but, after receiving a sponsor exemption into the tournament at PGA National, he will once again have the opportunity to claim PGA Tour playing rights.
Currently, Clanton has accumulated 19 PGA Tour University Accelerated points and, to pick up a card, he needs to hit the 20-point mark, which would require him making the cut next week in Florida.
In 10 PGA Tour starts, Clanton already has two runner-up finishes
Although it's only a matter of time before the American secures that illusive point, it would be a weight off his back, as he would be eligible to take up PGA Tour membership after finishing his junior season at Florida State.
On the PGA Tour, Clanton has already racked up five top 15 finishes, including a runner-up at the John Deere Classic and The RSM Classic. What's more, if he were to make the cut next week, he would follow in the footsteps of Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent, who was the first to secure his card via the University Accelerated system.
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Claiming his card back in 2023, Sargent returned for his senior season and is reportedly set to accept his membership after the NCAA Championship in Spring.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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