One of the boys again - Thornberry with Viktor Hovland and Colin Morikawa at the 2018 U.S. Amateur
Seven years ago, Braden Thornberry defeated
Collin Morikawa in a playoff to win the 2017 Sunnehanna Amateur. He also won the 2017 NCAA Division I National Championship as the top-ranked amateur in the world before representing the USA on the winning Walker Cup team at Los Angeles CC.
And while it took him longer than his contemporaries Viktor Hovland and Colin Morikawa, Thornberry has finally made his long-anticipated breakthrough to the PGA Tour with a stellar victory at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship. The win not only earned him a 2025 PGA Tour card but also signaled a potential turning point in a career that, for many, seemed destined for greatness when Thornberry was crowned the No. 1 amateur in the world back in 2017.
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Hailing from Olive Branch, Mississippi, Thornberry’s amateur career was nothing short of remarkable.
His standout moment came at the 2017 NCAA Championship, where he claimed the individual title while representing Ole Miss, a feat that helped elevate him to the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings. That same year, Thornberry solidified his place as one of the country’s top amateurs by competing for the victorious USA Walker Cup team at Los Angeles Country Club.
BRADEN THORNBERRY: SUMMER OF 2017 HIGHLIGHT REEL
His transition to the professional ranks, however, wasn’t as rapid as some of his contemporaries, such as Collin Morikawa, who found immediate success on the PGA Tour. Despite the challenges Thornberry faced in replicating his amateur dominance, his hard work and persistence paid off today with a final round 6-under 66 at French Lick Resort in Indiana, securing a long-awaited triumph.
For those of us at AmateurGolf.com, Thornberry’s journey has been particularly compelling. We have followed his career closely, through highlights like his T4 finish at the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic and multiple top finishes at major amateur events such as the Jones Cup Invitational and the Sunnehanna Amateur. Today’s victory is a testament to the resilience he’s shown over the years, and it’s a moment we’ve long hoped for—one that proves his potential on the grandest stage is still ahead of him.
As Thornberry looks ahead to his first full season on the PGA Tour, his story serves as a reminder that every player’s path to success is unique. While his road may have taken longer than expected, this victory signals the start of a new chapter in what could still be a storied professional career.
Thornberry’s path to his first PGA Tour card in 2025 has been marked by significant accomplishments as an amateur and a determined, often challenging journey as a professional. As we reflect on his rise, it’s impossible not to appreciate the steady climb that began long before his name graced headlines on the Korn Ferry Tour.
2018 and Earlier: Amateur Standout
By the time Thornberry turned professional, his amateur résumé was nothing short of exceptional. After capturing the individual title at the 2017 NCAA Championship, he was named the top-ranked amateur golfer in the world. This crown solidified his place as one of the most promising young players in the game.
His accomplishments were numerous, with victories at prestigious events like the Jones Cup Invitational, Sunnehanna Amateur, and Patriot All-America. Thornberry was also a force in college golf, consistently racking up top finishes while competing for Ole Miss, including wins at the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate and Warrior Princeville Makai Invitational.
In 2017, Thornberry made waves with a stunning T4 finish at the FedEx St. Jude Classic on the PGA Tour, a performance that proved he could hold his own against the best professionals in the world. He also represented the U.S. in the Walker Cup, contributing to the team’s victory over Great Britain & Ireland at Los Angeles Country Club.
Even in his final year as an amateur in 2018, Thornberry continued to impress with his consistency. He captured wins at the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship and the Hootie at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate while adding a top-five finish at the Pacific Coast Amateur. Thornberry also made a run to the final 64 at the U.S. Amateur and successfully qualified for the Web.com Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) via Q-School.
2018 to Present: The Professional Journey
Despite the expectations that surrounded Thornberry as he turned pro in 2018, his transition wasn’t without its hurdles. Early on, he faced the challenge of living up to the lofty standards he had set as an amateur, while competing in the ultra-competitive environment of the Korn Ferry Tour.
His early professional years were characterized by flashes of brilliance but also a learning curve that many top amateurs experience when making the leap to the pro ranks. Thornberry found success at times, notably with a T22 finish at the North Mississippi Classic in 2018 and a series of solid performances on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Yet, the instant success that players like Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland achieved eluded him. He played in multiple PGA Tour events, including the U.S. Open and FedEx St. Jude Classic, but failed to make a significant impact in those appearances.
The road to the top took time, but Thornberry never wavered in his determination. Year after year, he grinded on the Korn Ferry Tour, gaining valuable experience and continuing to fine-tune his game. In 2023, his perseverance began to pay off as he made deeper runs in tournaments, setting up his opportunity at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in 2024.
That final round at French Lick Resort marked the culmination of years of hard work. With a spectacular 6-under 66, Thornberry secured his PGA Tour card for 2025, ending a long stretch of near-misses and reaffirming his place as one of golf’s most promising talents. His journey may not have been as meteoric as some of his peers, but it was a testament to the resilience and determination that have defined his career.
"It's amazing," Thornberry told the Golf Channel as he fought back tears. "I have played good all year and haven't got it to work out for me. For this all to come together today is just special."
Thornberry added, " I have worked so hard to get here and I feel like some things haven't gone quite my way over the last five years or so. To have something go my way and play well at the right time is amazing."
Now, as Thornberry prepares to compete on the PGA Tour, his victory serves as a reminder of the unique challenges many players face in the professional ranks. His story is one of perseverance, where the highs and lows have only strengthened his resolve. The 2025 season represents a fresh start, and after his breakthrough win, the sky's the limit for this once-dominant amateur who has finally arrived on the biggest stage.