Will Chandler just pulled off one of golf’s most unlikely success stories.
The 27-year-old Atlanta native shocked everyone by earning his PGA Tour card last Sunday – especially his former college coach at Georgia, Chris Haack.
“He’s the most unlikely guy I’ve ever had make it to the Tour,” Haack said. “There’s no doubt about it.”
That’s because Chandler’s college career was, well, pretty forgettable. In five years at Georgia, he never came close to being named an All-American – something every other Georgia player who’s made it to the PGA Tour had achieved.
He was basically buried on Georgia’s depth chart, competing in just 20 college tournaments. In 13 of those, he finished near the bottom of the field. His only decent showings? Two top-10 finishes in smaller events in Puerto Rico.
“I was not very good, to be honest,” Chandler admits.
But what he lacked in college success, he made up for in pure determination. Haack’s phone is filled with photos from friends who’d spot Chandler practicing – including one memorable day when he stayed on the driving range for over four hours straight, never moving from his spot.
After turning pro in 2021, Chandler struggled on mini-tours while his more successful college teammates headed to bigger circuits. He’d earn just enough cash to keep chasing his dream.
Things started changing this year. Word spread that Chandler was dominating money games around St. Simons Island, Georgia, where he lives. Then he Monday-qualified for four Korn Ferry Tour events, turned that into 10 starts, and grabbed a runner-up finish.
But his real breakthrough came last weekend at PGA Tour Q-School. After a rough start Sunday – no birdies on the front nine – Chandler switched golf balls at the turn. Everything clicked.
He drained three birdies and then nailed a massive 60-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole that launched him into contention.
“I didn’t even know I was really in contention until I made eagle,” Chandler said.
Now he’s one of 10 Georgia alumni with full PGA Tour status next season – something that seemed impossible just months ago.
“Golf is funny,” Haack reflected. “Sometimes it just clicks, and something happens, and you have that magical moment on the back nine like he did, and next thing you know you’ve got your PGA Tour card.”
For a kid who used to race around Cherokee Country Club playing twilight rounds with his dad, Ricky, it’s a dream come true.
Turns out any underdog can have his day – even one who took the longest of long roads to get there.
