“Nearly Quit Golf 3 Years Ago,” Now PGA Tour Golfer Wants to Win the PGA Championship
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The big names in golf will battle it out at the PGA Championship this week. However, there’s one name on the list that has made an inspiring comeback.
Ian Holt of Ohio will compete in his first major at Aronimink Golf Club and will look to build on his historic start to the season.
“It was terrible,” Holt recalled. “It was the first time in my career that I had no status on any tour. That was a really tough time.”
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Ian Holt puts on the practice green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
May 11, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Ian Holt puts on the practice green during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Three years ago, Holt had lost his status on the second-level circuit as well as on PGA Tour Americas. Adding to his woes, he also missed out on the second stage of Q School that same year.
Holt had almost lost hope when everything suddenly changed after a Monday qualifier in Victoria, Canada. He ended up being one of the five players who shot 4-under par and qualified for that week’s event.
Holt capitalized on the opportunity to secure a top-25 finish. He finished in the top 25, which led to another start. He eventually won the Explore NB Open in July 2024.
Holt secured Korn Ferry Tour status after finishing in the top 10 on the PGA Tour Americas, ending a period of professional uncertainty.
“I’m going there to compete and see where I stack up. I want to go and trust my game and be confident that I belong, because I wasn’t just dropped there on a whim. I earned my spot to be there and I want to compete,” said Holt.
That reflected his confidence after fighting his way back from career uncertainty to earning a place among the sport’s biggest names at the PGA Championship.
Holt enters the tournament with momentum from a record-breaking start on the Korn Ferry Tour.
Holt’s Run Of Form This Season On The Korn Ferry Tour
Holt will be the only player from the Korn Ferry Tour to feature in Pennsylvania, as he earned the exemption for being the tour’s No. 1 player.
The 30-year-old created history as he became the quickest player to record two wins in a season on the tour.
Holt secured The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic and The Panama Championship in back-to-back events to achieve the historic feat.
Holt also registered an impressive T7 finish at the Club Car Championship in March and will hope to put forth his best performance at the PGA Championship.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar