The 2026 PGA Tour season is underway, featuring top golfers worldwide, including several standout players from Brigham Young University (BYU). This year, three BYU alumni—Patrick Fishburn, Zac Blair, and Peter Kuest—are actively competing in various tour events, showcasing their talents and continuing BYU’s growing presence on professional golf’s biggest stage.
Patrick Fishburn’s Progress on the Tour
Patrick Fishburn has taken part in two prominent PGA Tour tournaments in California so far this season: The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open. While he missed the finals in both events, Fishburn posted scores of three over par and three under par, respectively. Despite a slow start to the year, he plans to participate in additional tournaments throughout the season.
A second-year PGA Tour player, Fishburn has earned $3,347,354 in career winnings, with 31 cuts made in 59 events to date. Currently, he ranks No. 166 in SG: Total, a key metric evaluating strokes gained across the season. Fishburn enjoyed a notable collegiate career at BYU from 2011 to 2018, taking a two-year break to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After being recruited by 20 schools, he chose BYU and turned professional following his 2018 graduation, finishing No. 35 at the NCAA Golf Championship that year.
Zac Blair’s Continued Presence in PGA Tour Events
Zac Blair has competed in one PGA Tour event this season, the Sony Open in Hawaii, where he finished tied for 50th with a 4-under par score, earning $22,404. He also took part in a Korn Ferry event in late January, tying for 37th with a score of 4-over par and capturing $4,938.
Since starting his professional career in 2014, Blair earned his PGA Tour card in his rookie year and debuted on the Tour in 2015. Over his career, he has earned $8,357,201 and made 127 cuts out of 226 events. He currently holds the No. 81 spot in SG: Total for the season. At BYU, where he played from 2009 to 2013, Blair recorded multiple first-place finishes, including the PING Cougar Classic twice, the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate, and the 2013 Desert Shootout Tournament.
Peter Kuest’s Efforts to Secure Full Tour Status
Peter Kuest has focused on playing Korn Ferry tournaments this year as he works to earn a permanent PGA Tour card. He has participated in three Korn Ferry events during the 2026 season but has yet to make a final cut, posting scores of 5-under par at The Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis, 3-over par at The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, and 7-over par at The Panama Championship.
Turning professional in 2020, Kuest has amassed $318,876 and reached 23 cuts out of 58 total career tournaments. He played at BYU from 2016 to 2020 and briefly earned temporary PGA Tour membership in 2023. Kuest remains determined to advance his standing with continued Korn Ferry competition this year.
Broader BYU Impact on Professional Golf
Beyond Fishburn, Blair, and Kuest, several other BYU alumni are making strides toward PGA Tour participation. Zac Jones recently competed in the 2024 PGA Black Desert Championship, while Kihei Akina played in both the 2024 PGA Tour Black Desert Championship and the 2025 Utah Open. Daniel Summerhays has also made a name for himself by competing extensively in Korn Ferry tournaments during his career.
Notably, veteran golfer Mike Weir, who now plays on the PGA Tour Champions, and former BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank, inducted into the Utah Golf Hall of Fame in October 2024, have left lasting legacies associated with BYU’s golf program. These individuals indicate the depth of talent that BYU cultivates, with its athletes competing at high levels across different tours and age groups.
BYU’s Growing Reputation in the Golf World
BYU continues to build a reputation as a breeding ground for talented golfers who excel on the PGA Tour and other competitive stages. With multiple alumni active in ongoing tournaments and several more working to join or return to the Tour, the university’s influence on American golf remains strong. The achievements of players like Fishburn, Blair, and Kuest symbolize both the potential and determination embedded in BYU’s golf culture, promising a sustained presence in professional golf’s future.
