Ask Alistair Docherty about his worst nightmare, and he might point to the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. For the 30-year-old, his road to the PGA Tour has been a rollercoaster of near misses and gut punches—and it all started with a moment of desperation just four years ago.

Back then, Docherty’s dream of professional golf was hanging by a thread. Low on cash and even lower on options, he faced a harsh reality. “I got back from Denver and drove from Scottsdale to San Antonio, and yes, a little short on cash,” Docherty admitted. “I was messaging back and forth with Ryan from MondayQ, and I was like, yeah, I think I might just stay in my car for a night or two, save some money.”

His financial woes were so dire that he had to rely on the kindness of others, with one supporter even donating $15,000 to help him stay in the game.“There were a few people that reached out and helped me out,” Docherty said. “So it was nice to sleep in a bed, and I’m really thankful for those people.”

Fast forward to 2024, and Docherty was no longer worried about sleeping arrangements—but his PGA Tour dreams remained agonizingly close and yet out of reach. At the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in October, he needed a top-two finish (with no more than one tie) to break into the top 30 on the points list and secure his PGA Tour card. A gritty final-round 68 seemed to have done the trick until Doc Redman sank a birdie to force a three-way tie for second. One stroke—that’s all it took to deny Docherty his ticket to the PGA Tour.

Then came Q-School. Same stakes, same heartbreak. Docherty was tied for the lead heading into the final round, 36 holes away from redemption. But once again, it slipped away. One stroke short—again. It’s a brutal game, but for Docherty, resilience has become second nature. Just a few years ago, he was ready to call it quits.

Today, he’s competing at the highest levels of professional golf, fighting tooth and nail for his shot. That kind of grit hasn’t gone unnoticed. The PGA Tour might still be just out of reach, but Docherty has picked up something even more meaningful: fans who’ve got his back and believe this story is far from over.

Fans back Alistair Docherty with their staunch support

 Docherty’s near misses this year have only strengthened his fan base, with many calling for him to get more chances. One fan put it bluntly: “Get him in as many events as possible. He is already going to be a crowd favorite!” And honestly, they’re not wrong. From scraping by financially to falling heartbreakingly short of a PGA Tour card—twice—Docherty’s story screams underdog.

“He’s playing the best golf of his life right now and the class and resolve he’s showed in both situations are inspiring.” another fan pointed out. Highlights like his T2 finish at the Myrtle Beach Classic back in May prove just how clutch he can be. That kind of performance is what keeps fans believing his breakthrough is just around the corner.

“Damn, that’s tough,” one fan said after Docherty’s latest one-stroke miss, echoing the collective sigh of disappointment. But does that impact the fan-support? Not at all. “He’s that dude. He will make it,” ne comment read, while another fan bluntly called for fairness:“He shot the highest final round score of anyone in the top 25,” one fan noted, while others called for a holiday miracle. “Come on. Let him in. Make it a Christmas miracle. Coming up one short in two events in the same year. He can CLEARLY compete.”

And then there’s the simplest, yet most powerful plea:“Give him a card.”  It’s been a long road for Docherty since turning pro in 2016, and while that first PGA Tour win still eludes him, with a fanbase this loyal, it’s not a matter of if—it’s a matter of when.