The PGA Tour is the big dream for so many golfers, but getting there? Definitely not a walk in the park. Q-School, which used to be the main way in, took a backseat for a bit. But in 2023, it made a big return, offering a few PGA Tour cards once again. This year, the event took place from December 12-15 at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club. The competition was tough, and unfortunately, some really talented players didn’t make the cut.

Take Alistair Docherty, for example. Earlier this year, he had a solid showing at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May, and things were looking up. But even with that momentum, he couldn’t snag his PGA Tour card this time around.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for players like him who’ve already proven themselves in the past. And Docherty isn’t alone—plenty of golfers have faced the same heartbreak at Q-School, despite having some solid Tour wins or great performances under their belts.

1. Scott Piercy:

Piercy has had a pretty solid career, no doubt with four PGA Tour wins, including the 2012 Players Championship. But the last few years haven’t been kind to him. Injuries and inconsistent play kept him from staying in the top 125, which led him to Q-School by the end of 2023 as per the PGA Tour website. Even with all that experience, Piercy couldn’t find the form he needed to secure a PGA Tour card. It’s a tough reminder that, even if you’ve got a solid resume and past wins under your belt, you need more than just that to survive the brutal competition at Q-School.

2. Ben Crane:

Crane is known for his methodical and steady game and has three PGA Tour wins under his belt, with his last victory coming in 2014 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. But his form has been on the decline in recent years, and by 2023, Crane found himself outside the top 125. Despite his experience and past success, he had to go through Q-School for a shot at regaining his Tour card. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

3. Brian Gay:

Gay’s been a fan favorite on the PGA Tour for more than 20 years, and his win at the Bermuda Championship in 2020 added to his legacy. But in recent years, his game hasn’t quite been up to the usual standards, and by the end of 2023, he found himself outside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings. That meant Q-School was his only shot at getting back on the Tour. Despite all the years of experience and solid performances, he couldn’t secure a card. It’s tough to see someone with his history having to fight for a spot, but golf is an unforgiving sport. Just because you’ve been around for a while doesn’t mean the spot is yours forever. Ouch!

4. Patton Kizzire:

Kizzire had a breakout year in 2017, winning both the Sony Open in Hawaii and the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. At that point, it seemed like he was just getting started. But since then, consistency has been an issue. By the end of the 2023 season, Kizzire had dropped out of the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings, and his hopes for the 2024 season rested on Q-School. Unfortunately, even with that past success, he couldn’t secure a card. It’s a harsh reality of professional golf—one great year doesn’t guarantee long-term success, and staying competitive in such a stacked field is always a battle.

5. Adam Long:

Long’s win at the 2019 Desert Classic was a big deal, with many thinking it was just the beginning of a successful career. But after that breakthrough, his play became a bit unpredictable, and by 2023, he found himself outside the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings. With his PGA Tour status on the line, Long made a run at Q-School, hoping to get back on track. Unfortunately, he came up short. It’s a tough reminder of how unpredictable golf can be—one minute you’re riding high, and the next, you’re scrambling to keep your spot. Despite that big win, Long couldn’t find that same spark at Q-School this time around.

You see, Q-school ain’t a cakewalk, and it doesn’t care about past accolades. For these former winners, it was a tough reality check.