CARLSBAD, Calif. — Ben James joined an exclusive club Monday.
He became the fourth player in the history of the PGA Tour to earn his Tour membership via PGA Tour University class rankings, following in Ludvig Aberg, Michael Thorbjornsen and David Ford’s footsteps. And it became official as soon as stroke play ended Monday at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship.
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The sixth PGA Tour University rankings were finalized Monday, and the top-25 golfers secured status on varying professional tours. But it was James taking home the top prize.
Players who finished Nos. 2-5 in the final PGA Tour U rankings earned fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for 2026, as well as an exemption to final stage of 2026 PGA Tour Q-School. Those finishing 6-25 are exempt into second state of PGA Tour Q-School.
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2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship: Match play field, pairings set for quarterfinals
A general view of signage on the course during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship: Match play field, pairings set for quarterfinals
A general view of signage on the course during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
A general view of signage on the course during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
The notebook of Carson Brewer of the Florida State Seminoles is seen during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Luke Poulter of the Florida Gators speaks with a coach while waiting to putt on the sixth green during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Christiaan Maas of the Texas Longhorns measures a putt on the sixth green during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Luke Potter of the Texas Longhorns hits from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Jackson Koivun of the Auburn Tigers watches his shot from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Jake Wallis of the Arkansas State Red Wolves hits from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Milan Reed of the Arkansas State Red Wolves speaks with a coach before hitting from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
JD Culbreth of the Georgia Bulldogs watches his shot from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Kihei Akina of the BYU Cougars watches his shot from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Baylor Larrabee of the UCLA Bruins reacts after his shot on the seventh tee during the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Steen Zeman of Long Beach State walks on the sixth fairway during the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
A general view of the sixth green during the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Jackson Koivun of the Auburn Tigers measures a putt on the sixth greenduring the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Ben James of the Virginia Cavaliers hits from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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Best photos from the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa
Preston Stout of the Oklahoma State Cowboys watches his shot from the seventh tee during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
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NCAA Men’s Golf Championship highlights: LSU goes on crazy run to make 15-team cut
Will Hartman of the Vanderbilt Commodores reacts after hitting towards the sixth green during the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on May 29, 2026 in Carlsbad, California.
(Ryan Sirius Sun, Getty Images)
Then, Nos. 11-25 earned fully exempt membership on PGA Tour Americas for 2026.
The program is designed to streamline the process for college players to advance to the professional level while also rewarding those who honor their college commitments. Players must play on the NCAA Division I level and complete a minimum of four years in college to be eligible for PGA Tour U.
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PGA Tour University Class of 2026 final standings
1. Ben James, Virginia
James had an incredible senior season, his T-16 at NCAAs being his worst finish of the year. Otherwise, he is set to become only the fifth four-time, first-team All-American in college golf history. And now, he’s heading to the PGA Tour as the fourth player to earn a card directly from his collegiate results.
Nos. 2-10
No. 11-25
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Final PGA Tour University Class of 2026 rankings: Ben James wins card
