The Loop

Harold Varner III becomes first African-American to earn PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour money list

August 31, 2015

Lost in the Jason Day, Brian Harman noise over the weekend was a bit of golf history: Harold Varner III became the first African-American player to earn his PGA Tour card through the Web.com Tour.

Not to say it was easy.

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US PGA TOUR

To earn promotion, the top 25 players on the Web.com's regular-season money list are granted full-time status to the next PGA Tour season. After opening the campaign with a second-place showing in January, Varner's game struggled with consistency. Worse, heading into the regular-season finale at Pumpkin Ridge outside Portland, Varner had missed the cut in three of the prior six events.

Luckily for the 25-year-old who played college golf at East Carolina, his game held up, finishing T-47 at the WinCo Foods Portland Open, which was just good enough to hold on to the 25th spot on the money list.

“It’s been a roller coaster, but it’s something I’m going to benefit from in the long run,” said Varner after yesterday's round.

Although he will still compete in the Web.com Tour Finals (the circuit's version of the FedEx Cup), Varner now has full PGA Tour privileges starting at the Frys.com Open.

“I’m going to enjoy the moment," Varner continued. "I’m going to hug my mom and dad tomorrow, and I’m sure they’ll cry. I’ll do my best not to.”