PGA Tour U was built to fast-track talent. It's now helping shape the Tour's future

Michael Thorbjornsen didn't want to be left behind.

The 24-year-old has been a PGA Tour pro for more than two years, but last month he had one of the biggest eye-opening moments of his career. Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old phenom, won in his third professional start, holding off world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to take the trophy at the 3M Open. For a majority of the PGA Tour, it was a reminder that the young kids are good, and they're coming for the top.

For Thorbjornsen, it was a wake-up call.

"Comparison is a thief of joy, but it has helped me and hurt me at times when I see other people having success and doing well when I know I can compete with them," Thorbjornsen said. "When Koivun won, that was a big motivating factor."

Thorbjornsen and Koivun are both graduates of PGA Tour University, a program designed to give the top collegiate players direct access to the PGA Tour. PGA Tour U started as an idea on a sheet of paper back in 2018. Now, it has become one of the most essential pipelines to the Tour, and in recent weeks has shown it belongs even in the new professional golf ecosystem with numerous victories from alums.

Koivun took the title at the 3M Open. The next week, Thorbjornsen won the Rocket Classic. One week later, Michael Brennan, a fellow 24-year-old who initially earned Korn Ferry Tour status via PGA Tour U, earned his second PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship.

The first two players wouldn't have had chances to win as early had it not been for PGA Tour U. Starting in 2023, the top-ranked collegiate senior after the season would earn a PGA Tour card. Ludvig Aberg was the first recipient. Then Thorbjornsen, with David Ford and Ben James following as No. 1 graduates of their classes. Those who don't finish first, like Brennan, can earn Korn Ferry Tour status and play their way to the PGA Tour.

Then there's Koivun, who, along with Gordon Sargent and Luke Clanton, earned their cards via PGA Tour U Accelerated, a points-based program that allows top players a chance to clinch their cards early by meeting certain thresholds based on play, world ranking and more. Koivun earned his card last year, decided to return to Auburn for his junior season, where he helped the Tigers win their second championship in three years, and then made his pro debut. And the rest is history.

"PGA Tour U's been great," Koivun said. "It's given a lot of guys a pathway to the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour to kind of go out there and prove themselves. Just in the state of college golf right now, it's gotten very, very competitive; guys are getting better and better. I think college guys are more and more ready to come out here and compete."

Of the seven players who have earned PGA Tour cards from the program, three have now gone on to win. As for graduates of the program since its inception, 65 have won on professional tours worldwide. Of the 70 players who qualified for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, nine are graduates of PGA Tour U, including Koivun and Thorbjornsen. Seven PGA Tour U alumni have at least three professional victories, including world No. 9 Chris Gotterup.

It's a program that has the best players in the world taking notice, too.

"I think the PGA Tour U program is an amazing thing, as well," Rory McIlroy said. "You look at Jackson Koivun, Michael Brennan, Michael Thorbjornsen, you look at all these young guys coming through, that's an amazing thing for the Tour, and I think the more young guys that can get that chance the better."

Plenty of changes are coming to the PGA Tour, from the schedule to the two-tier system and more in 2028. Brendan von Doehren, the executive director of PGA Tour U, is excited for the direction of the program and is confident in its ability to adapt in the changing landscape of the Tour.

While nothing has been made official, the top-ranked player at the end of each collegiate season is still expected to receive a PGA Tour card, keeping that direct access to the highest level of professional golf. While details are still being worked out, there are likely to be opportunities to earn spots on the PGA Tour Challenger Series and continuing on the Korn Ferry Tour, as well.

PGA Tour U has proven its mark as one of the Tour's best systems for identifying the next crop of elite talent. Koivun and Thorbjornsen are only two of its success stories. In the next few years, there's no telling how many more are to come.

"I think the youth have to be given the opportunities," McIlroy continued. "There has to be clear defined pathways. Which I think are there right now. I think that's a great thing."

Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: PGA Tour U was built to fast-track talent. It's now helping shape the Tour's future