Earning a PGA Tour card still seems like an unrealized dream for many, especially Alistair Docherty, the 30-year-old professional. Curious as to what happened? Well, the golfer was teeing off on the final day of the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in hopes of qualifying for the PGA Tour on Sunday. But as fate would have it, the card wasn’t his to take, on account of a small factor—a small putt that made all the difference for the golfer.

Braden Thornberry managed to clinch the top spot on the leaderboard after finishing his round at the championship. This meant Docherty had to finish tied with just one other golfer or better to earn his 2025 PGA Tour card. The story, however, rarely goes someone’s way. Doc Redman managed to birdie his last home at the par-5 18th, thereby finishing T2 with the golfer. Meanwhile, a missed par putt from Brian Campbell on the 18th would have helped Docherty qualify, but even that didn’t happen. Truly unlucky for the Korn Ferry Tour Pro.

It makes sense, despite the tragic nature of it all, doesn’t it? That’s how golf goes, one would say. Others might have a different opinion, for they might grow to care for the golfer through his journey, so much so that they wish every blessing on him, sympathizing with him in case tragedy strikes. What do you think happened here? Unsurprisingly so, the fans took to feel for the professional, this time around, as he experienced the unfortunate PGA Tour heartbreak on Sunday on the Pete Dye Course at the French Lick Golf Resort.

Fans extend their heart out for Alistair Docherty

Throughout the 2024 season, Alistair Docherty finished three times inside the top 10 on the Korn Ferry Tour, including a runner-up placement at the championship. As a result of his performance, he was also able to finish in the 32nd position on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, just two places short of what would have been a start at the 2025 PGA Tour season.

A couple of fans took to congratulate him on the remarkable year he had this season as one commented, “Hell of a year @alistairdochertygolf proud of you!” and “Love watching your journey all year my guy @alistairdochertygolf.” Another enthusiast on Instagram pointed out how this would only push the golfer to achieve his dreams in the coming season; “Will end up being fuel for Al and only a matter of time. Proud of him and his season.”

The 30-year-old had also teed it up at two PGA Tour events this year, the 2024 RBC Canadian Open and the Myrtle Beach Classic. He managed to get in the field of former events by finishing inside the top 10 for the 2023 edition of the Canadian Open. As for the second event, he had a sponsor exemption that helped him play at the same all the while finishing T2. A fan, meanwhile, took to sympathize with the athlete’s heartbreak while highlighting how that might have been a part of why he didn’t make the top 30; “Had a feeling him playing that tour event was probably gonna come back to bite him this year.”

A total of 30 golfers managed to get their hands on the PGA Tour card for the 2025 season. They included Thornberry, the golfer who finished at the top in the KFT Championship, as well as Brian Campbell, the athlete who placed T2 alongside Docherty. Regardless, he was still at No. 32 on the standings, just a couple of places outside of the required position.

Couple that with the fact that he managed to climb from the 688th spot at the start of the year to No. 201, and we see why another follower on Instagram dished out their support;  “@alistairdochertygolf will get there! Great guy and he can play this setback will make it all that much sweeter when he’s on the big tour”

Quite a dramatic finish that the Korn Ferry Tour and its season-ending finale found themselves in. And the fans sympathizing for Alistair Docherty doesn’t make the feats of the rest of the athletes any less important. They also dished out the best they could to leave a mark on the circuit!