Clanton founded to a big moment on the Phoenix Open

Scottsdale, Arizona | In 2022, Luke Clanton sat in front of his TV watching the WM Phoenix Open, a tournament he had seen since he was 10 years old. Sam Ryder was on the tee of the notorious 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. Clanton watched while Ryder hit his iron flush, the ball sky -high in the air before landing on the green and falls into the cup. Clanton heard the audience’s roar and watched as fans showered the hole in beer. He wanted this experience.

On Tuesday, Clanton stood on the same 16th tee with iron in his hand during a Phoenix Open Practice round. It was his turn.

“I love giving the audience a good show,” he said.

The scene is set. A Junior in Florida State and the world’s # 1-ranked amateur, Clanton Tees from Thursday with a chance to earn a PGA Tour card by Friday. If he gets the 36-hole clipping on Phoenix, he will have reached the 20-point threshold to earn a map through PGA Tour University accelerated, giving him the opportunity to turn pro and participate in the trip after the college season ends. He would also have the opportunity to postpone his status until after his senior season, as Vanderbilt’s Gordon Sargent did last year.

In 10 PGA Tour Starts, Clanton has made eight cuts and ended in second place twice, at last year’s John Deere Classic and RSM Classic. The WM Phoenix Open is another beast known for its thousands of bully spectators, but he and those close to him think he’s ready.

“Every one pga -touring event you play, you get a lot of people who see you,” Clanton said. “You have to stay in your zone and do what you do.”

Clanton’s career showed promise from the start. Florida State golf coach Trey Jones says he first saw Clanton play when the young gut was 12 years old. Jones immediately saw Clanton’s trust and love for golf. He knew he wanted Clanton in Florida State.

“Before he committed, I think I saw Luke playing 43 rounds of junior golf,” Jones said.

Luke Clanton swings away on the third hole in the third round during the 2024 US Open

Clanton joined the FSU in the 2022-23 season. While he did not have the first year he wanted, he set the lowest average in a single season in the FSU story over his second year (69.33). Clanton attributes much of his success for how competitive his teammates are.

“They then support what I do, come out here and play,” Clanton said. “When I come back, they still try to kick my ass every single day.”

One of his teammates is Gray Albright, recent winner of the Jones Cup Invitational. While Albright can’t remember their head-to-head record, he says there has been a lot of fireworks and putts to win on the last hole.

“We are both very competitive individuals and it can be scary out there, but it is really fun to play against each other,” Albright said.

Jones loves the competition between teammates and says Clanton is especially competitive.

“He wants to do something to push them to get better,” Jones said.

“I think you will see him do exactly what he has done. The engine goes in one direction. ” – Trey Jones

Clanton is at the top of the amateur gossip, but the due to the tour is completely different. Successful amateur golfers do not always turn it on at the next level. Despite this, Jones does not think Clanton will have difficulty adapting.

“I think you will see him do exactly what he has done,” Jones said. “The engine will go in one direction.”

It’s not just Jones who think the amateur will find success at the highest level. When Scottie Scheffler, a two-time Phoenix Open Champion and the world’s No. 1-ranked professional, Clanton in a row looks at so many touring events.

“He has played good golf and definitely deserves to get his card,” Scheffler said. “I hope he plays well this week and unlocks it and goes back and does his stuff in school.”

Still, even Scheffler is not entirely immune to the pressure of appearing in front of the urge at TPC Scottsdales 16. Hole.

“It’s cool to be able to get into that environment and get people to cheer on you,” Scheffler said. “The dish for you stops immediately if you miss the green or don’t make birdie, so that part is a little tough.”

Still, Clanton pleases his first experience at the notorious stadium hole.

“Even on a Tuesday, 16, it was pretty crazy,” Clanton said. “I’m excited to see how it will be over the weekend or Thursday and Friday.

Albright can’t wait to watch his teammate play 16.

“If anything, it will smell his golf game,” Albright said. “He is doing so well in front of crowds when the pressure is turned on.”

Jones agrees that Clanton will embrace the crowd.

“He will love it,” Jones said. “You want to see the biggest smile on him. He will be the one if everyone gets quiet to ask them to make noise. “

What if Clanton manages to win? Jones says it will be back at work.

“This Sunday, if he were to win, the first day he is back (in school), he will be out to practice at. 9 in the morning. He just can’t stay away. “

But Clanton says he can’t focus on winning. Even getting his tour card is not his focus right now. His focus is on what he can control at the moment.

“Whatever you do, just think about the next shot, not the future,” Clanton said.

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