The RBC Canadian Open will be a proving ground for not one, but two aspiring golf stars this summer.
During the annual media day on Monday, tournament officials revealed that both Luke Clanton and Gordon Sargent are set to make their professional debuts as official PGA Tour members from June 5-8 at TPC Toronto.
The tournament kicks off a week after the NCAA Championship, wrapping up on May 30. Both young athletes earned their spots through the PGA Tour University's Accelerated program, ensuring full status through the upcoming season.
Gordon Sargent, who clinched his status over a year ago, decided to first complete his senior year at Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Luke Clanton, currently in his junior year at Florida State, achieved his 20-point milestone earlier this spring, making the cut at the Cognizant Classic. Although Clanton has yet to confirm bypassing his senior year, an announcement is anticipated post the NCAA postseason, beginning with regionals soon.
Clanton, who topped Sargent as No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking last August, has climbed as high as No. 87 in the Official World Golf Ranking. His impressive resume includes four top-10s on the PGA Tour since last summer, including two runner-up finishes—unheard of for an amateur player. He has clinched three collegiate victories this spring and ranks fifth nationally.
In stark contrast, Gordon Sargent faces a challenging period. Despite being a former NCAA individual champion and U.S. Walker Cup participant, he hasn’t finished in the top 10 since last summer's Northeast Amateur. This spring, Sargent's struggles continue, placing outside the top 50 in five starts for the Commodores, plummeting to No. 20 in WAGR, and an unexpected No. 522 in national collegiate standings.
