Numerous PGA Tour players really need a strong finish at the Bank of Utah Championship this week, in order to jump up the FedEx Cup standings.
Following the Bank of Utah Championship this week, only three tournaments remain in the Fall Series on the PGA Tour.
Only the top 100 players on the FedEx Cup points list will retain their full playing status this year, down from 125 last season, with players ranked 101st-125th earning conditional status.
The PGA Tour have actually been urged to cut the number of players who keep their cards down to 70 by Johnson Wagner, with more opportunities for Korn Ferry Tour and DP World Tour players to earn a spot at the top table.
Brian Rolapp will undoubtedly be open to making more changes down the line. The PGA Tour continues to evolve right in front of our eyes.
However, something that will never change is the fact that the highest tier of professional golf will always be a meritocracy – a Tour you can earn your place on, but also lose your card just as quickly, regardless of what you have achieved in the past.
Five-time PGA Tour winner in real danger of losing card after first round in Utah
The Bank of Utah Championship started on Thursday, with plenty of players looking to move up the standings in the FedEx Cup points list.
As mentioned previously, only the top-100 players in the FedEx Cup standings will earn full status on the PGA Tour in 2026.
And one very well known player is in danger of losing his card completely.
Camilo Villegas is currently sitting in 161st position on the FedEx Cup points list, after recording just one top-10 finish all season long.
Interestingly, Villegas backed the PGA Tour changes regarding how many players keep their cards earlier this year.
He gained a two-year exemption after winning the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in 2023, but that is set to expire next month.
So unless the 43-year-old Colombian posts some strong finishes in the next few events, he will lose his PGA Tour status in 2026.
Unfortunately for Villegas, he got off to a really poor start at the Black Desert Resort in Utah this week.
He shot a round of two-over par 73 – one that could have been so much worse if he hadn’t made three consecutive birdies on his back nine.
Villegas will probably need to shoot a round in the mid-60s on Friday just to make the cut.
If Villegas fails to move up the standings this week, he still has the Worldwide Technology Championship in Mexico, the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, where he won two years ago, and the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia to save his season.
Only time will tell if the man who was ranked as the seventh best golfer in the world in 2008 is up to the task or not, though.
Other notable names in danger of losing PGA Tour cards
Alex Noren is currently ranked 111th in the FedEx Cup standings. However, the Swede got off to a solid start in Utah with a round of 67 and, taking his fine recent form into account, he will surely be just fine.
Matt Kuchar, a nine-time PGA Tour winner, is a man living on the edge as well, and currently sits in 114th position. The 47-year-old is not playing in Utah this week, so he’s clearly gearing up for a strong finish to his season in November.
Adam Hadwin is currently 143rd in the FedEx Cup standings, and he seriously needs a good finish this week. However, he got off to a woeful start in Utah, with a round of three-over par 74.
Good friends Joel Dahmen and Harry Higgs are both on the borderline as well when it comes to keeping their cards.
They are sitting 103rd and 118th in the rankings respectively.
Dahmen was two-over par through 16 holes when play was suspended due to darkness while Higgs would have been delighted with his round of four-under par 67.
Out of every notable name at the Bank of Utah Championship this week, though, it is probably Villegas who is most in need of a strong finish.
It will be fascinating to see whether he is able to bounce back on Friday after his poor opening round.
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