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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Cameron Jourdan

Top 125 bubble watch: Which PGA Tour players are on the verge of losing their cards?

Some players have work to do to ensure themselves of a PGA Tour card come 2024.

With only three events left in the FedEx Cup Fall, numerous golfers will have to battle it out to remain inside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup Standings to ensure they keep their card for the 2024 season. The World Wide Technology Championship, Butterfield Bermuda Championship and RSM Classic could be the difference in someone playing on the PGA Tour next year or losing their card.

Plenty of FedEx Cup points remain up for grabs, and a win could even vault someone into the 51-60 spot, which earns spots in the first two signature events of 2024 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Genesis Invitational.

Additionally, in a new change, players who finish 126-200 in the FedEx Cup Standings can accept full membership on the DP World Tour.

Here’s a look at which PGA Tour pros have work to do to retain their card for the 2024 season.

(Note: some golfers may be below the top 125 in the standings but are exempt because of career achievements.)

Erik van Rooyen

Erik van Rooyen of South Africa walks off the third green during the third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson on October 07, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)

As it stands, van Rooyen is the last man in with three events left, sitting at 125 in the standings. He played in the first three fall events, finishing T-30, T-16 and T-23. A couple more performances like that will solidify his spot to retain his card next year.

Marty Dou

Marty Dou lines up a putt on the tenth green during the final round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side of the coin is Dou, who finished fourth in the Korn Ferry Tour standings after the 2022 season and earned his Tour card for a second time. He has missed the cut in two of his three fall starts and moved outside of the top 125 in the standings. To not lose his card a second time, he’ll need a strong finish to the year.

Cameron Champ

Cameron Champ of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa on September 15, 2023 in Napa, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The three-time PGA Tour winner has talked openly about his mental health, and he was tied for the lead at the Shriners Children’s Open after 36 holes in Las Vegas before finishing T-18. He also finished T-9 at the Sanderson Farms but sits 127th in the standings.

Jimmy Walker

Jimmy Walker of the United States plays his shot from the 15th tee during the first round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 03, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Walker took a one-time earnings exception to have status this year, and he sits 129th in the FedEx Cup Standings with three events remaining. He played in the first three fall events, finishing T-30, T-43 and MC. The 2016 PGA Championship winner will need three solid weeks down the stretch to keep his status.

Harry Higgs

Harry Higgs of the United States chips onto the third green during the third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson on October 07, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images)

The fan-favorite Higgs has struggled since the summer. Sitting 137th in the standings, he has missed the cut in six of his last seven starts, his one made weekend being a T-68 finish at the Sanderson Farms.

Patton Kizzire

Patton Kizzire of the United States walks on the ninth hole during the final round of the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Kizzire, a two-time PGA Tour winner, is also just outside the top 125 at 130. He has missed the cut in 14 of his 30 starts this season but has played the weekend in two fall events.

Austin Smotherman

Austin Smotherman watches his shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to the FedEx Cup Standings updating last season after the departure of players defecting to LIV, Smotherman retained his Tour card finishing 125th in the standings. He’s 132nd in the standings but has missed the cut in five of his last seven starts.

Carl Yuan

Carl Yuan hits his second shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the RBC Canadian Open at Oakdale Golf & Country Club on June 09, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The top finisher on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour points list is 133rd in the FedEx Cup Standings with three events left. A T-6 at the Sanderson Farms Championship helped Yuan make a big move up the standings, but more work remains.

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