There is no designed pathway to getting a PGA Tour card! The Tour has provided many gateways for golfers to rise up the ranks, but the same formula doesn’t work for everyone. Some come through Q-School qualifiers, others rise through the Korn Ferry Tour, and a few also capitalize on lucky exemptions before giving it their all in a PGA Tour event. But one thing that is certain: one needs to be an immensely talented golfer to make it through to the mountaintop. And Michael Kim did just that.

The 31-year-old turned pro in 2013. Despite great skills and abilities, it took Kim three years to become a full-time member of the PGA Tour in 2016. Until then, he showed up on the Korn Ferry Tour. His last 24 helped him secure a 13th-place finish on the 2015 Korn Ferry Tour leaderboard and book his ticket for promotion. This was an easier pathway for players who were gifted enough to compete with the best at a young age. But what about those who still have a zero handicap?

Well, according to Rick Shiels Golf’s tweet, “If you are a 25-year-old scratch player and I gave you unlimited time, the best teachers, the best equipment, best fitness coaches… The odds of you getting a tour card are ZERO.” And he wasn’t even trying to bash the players with a zero handicap. This was just a reaction to Billy Horschel‘s incredible long-distance putting at the 2025 Valspar Championship.

But Michael Kim countered Rick’s claims by providing a detailed explanation. He said “If you’re a zero handicap at 25, ur prob not even division 2? 🤔 A big thing would be have you been playing some tournament golf growing up? If not it’s zero for sure.” So for starters, it’s important to play tournaments so that you can improve your game and your rankings.

For zero handicaps, he also advised, “Best case scenario, you have some speed and coordination but don’t know where it’s going and awful chip and putter. You have played tournament golf and have some talent but never put any time into it. You get access to the best swing coach and mental coach. I mean it’s not zero but it’s very very small.” As disheartening as the chances may be, they are still not zero according to Kim. Practice, time, great coaching, and lots of dedication might help you push closer to your goal.

One of the fans asked Kim in the comments “Michael, out of curiosity do you remember what ages you hit different handicap milestones?” Reflecting on his humble beginning in the sport, the PGA Tour pro stated “I never really kept a handicap but I’m pretty confident I was a scratch around 13 or 14.” Being a zero handicap at the age of 13 or 14 must have given Kim a lot of advantages. Yet, he struggled to obtain his PGA Tour card for three years. So the journey for a late bloomer might be even more challenging.

But in the end, the quest is to never give up. There have been a few golfers in history who also started playing the sport pretty late. And they managed to find a lot of success. Let’s take a look at the inspiring figures.

Michael Kim’s statement has been proven right

For anyone who is a scratch player at 25, the journey towards a PGA Tour card might be long and challenging. But that doesn’t mean it is unachievable. Golf legend, Larry Nelson is a great example in this situation. Born in 1947, Nelson was 21 when he started playing golf. It took him 4 years to turn pro at 25 and another two years to get his PGA Tour card in 1973. The veteran golfer ended up winning 10 PGA Tour titles in his career, including 3 majors. And he did all that during a time when Jack Nicklaus was still dominating the course.

Calvin Peete is another legend who started quite late in his career. He was in his 20s when he first picked up a golf club. Got his PGA Tour card at 33 and went on to win 12 PGA Tour tournaments. There are many others who have followed the same suit and still found success. So there is no doubt that a zero handicap at 25 can also start their journey for a PGA Tour card, even if it takes a few years to get there.

Do you know of any other top golfers who started late in golf and still found success in the PGA Tour? Share the stories with us in the comments section.