Golf is a tricky sport. Any golfer can vouch for it. Now, Luke Clanton can too. You see, he was writing a different script at TPC Scottsdale—one of hope, resilience, and unshakeable faith. The 21-year-old Florida State junior had battled his way at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, needing just one birdie on the 18th hole to secure his PGA Tour card. The moment couldn’t have been scripted more dramatically. Honestly.

An 18.5-foot putt on the 18th hole on Friday would determine his fate. As the ball tracked toward the cup, time seemed to stand still—until it didn’t. The putt caught the lip, circled agonizingly, and spun out, leaving Clanton one stroke shy of making the cut and, more significantly, one point short of earning his Tour membership through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program.

But what happened next would reveal far more about the young golfer than any putt could.

Luke Clanton’s faith shines through heartbreak

For most young pros, such a narrow miss might spark visible frustration or anger. But Clanton’s response revealed a perspective far beyond his years. “It’s just not my time, man,” he said after the round, his voice steady with conviction. “I’m going to keep walking in my faith, man. The Lord has a plan for me, and I’m going to keep understanding that. Sometimes it’s a little harder to understand, but understanding that I am blessed to be where I’m at right now, and not a lot of 21-year-olds can say that, and I’m going to be blessed in my position and understand that my time will come.”

The stakes couldn’t have been higher for the rising star. With five top-15s in 10 Tour starts, including two runner-up finishes in 2024, Clanton had been meticulously building his case for Tour membership. That final point through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program would have transformed his career trajectory instantly. He currently has 19 points to his name, and he can earn the last point by competing in the Valspar Championship or Cognizant Classic, both of which he has sponsor exemptions for. However, these events are clashing with his college schedule. 

Even Justin Thomas recognized the young talent’s unwavering spirit, offering words of encouragement after the round: “You’re going to win a ton out here. Keep your head up.” For Clanton, these weren’t just consolation words—they were confirmation of the path of faith he’d chosen. Now, Clanton heads back to Florida State; “I’m going to have some fun with the guys, go play some college events. Hopefully, maybe we get a start or two coming up, but again, I’m not stressed out, man. My time will come.”

The path of faith, and resilience is strong for the young lad. Missing the cut just by 1 stroke this week, and missing the cut at Sony sure stung. His face said it all. He did finish decent at the Farmers Insurance though, at T15. “It’s just not my time, man. The Lord has a plan for me in every single step I take and every single shot I hit he has a plan, and it wasn’t due this week, it wasn’t due last week, it wasn’t due at Sony. The time will come, and I’m just going to stay confident with him. Again, man, it’s all in the Lord’s plan. I’m going to keep saying it over and over. There’s no shot I’d take back. There’s no shot I’d hit again. I think I’m going to keep pursuing what I do and walk in my faith as much as I can,” said Clanton.

His patient pursuit of PGA Tour dreams stands in stark yet interesting contrast to how another rising star recently viewed the same opportunity.

A young golfer chose a drastically different path

Tom McKibbin took a dramatically different route. The 22-year-old Northern Irishman, who had already secured his PGA Tour privileges through impressive DP World Tour performances, stunned the golf world by walking away from it all—choosing instead to join Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII team in LIV Golf for a reported $4.9 million.

“I’m not in those majors anyway at the minute, so it really didn’t bother me too much,” McKibbin said about giving up his major opportunities. The young star’s unbothered attitude toward traditional golf aspirations stands in stark contrast to Clanton’s spiritual journey toward those same dreams. For McKibbin, the allure of LIV’s format and the chance to learn from elite players proved more compelling than the PGA Tour path.

The decision created ripples through golf’s hierarchy. While Rahm celebrated acquiring such a “fantastic player at a young age,” McKibbin’s mentor Rory McIlroy couldn’t hide his disappointment. “If I were in your shoes, I would make a different choice than the one you’re thinking of making,” McIlroy had advised his protégé, highlighting the deep divide in how young talent views professional golf’s evolving landscape.

As Clanton returns to Florida State, ready to continue his patient pursuit of Tour membership, McKibbin settles into his new LIV Golf reality. Two rising stars, two vastly different paths. For Clanton, this setback is just another step in his journey. “I put up a great fight,” he reflects, looking ahead to future opportunities. “I’m not stressed out, man. My time will come.”