Søren Kjeldsen reflected on “a week I’ll never forget” after earning playing rights on the PGA TOUR Champions with a dominant victory at the final stage of Qualifying School.
The Dane, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, posted a closing five-under 66 at TPC Scottsdale to cruise to a wire-to-wire eight-shot victory.
Holding a three-shot lead ahead of the final round of the 72-hole event, he matched the low round on Friday to finish at 24 under par.
The success for Kjeldsen, who turns 50 in May next year, was made all the more special as he had his son Emil caddying for him.
“This is a week I’ll never forget,” said Kjeldsen, who also won at a First Stage Qualifying School event last month.
“It’s probably some of the best golf I’ve ever played. It’s been such a special moment for the two of us.”
Kjeldsen played on the DP World Tour for a remarkable 26 consecutive seasons from 1998 to 2024, amassing 712 starts – a haul bettered only by David Howell and Miguel Angel Jiménez.
But after losing his full playing rights at the climax of the Genesis Championship in South Korea in October, he opted to step away and focus on the challenge of seniors golf.
He will now join countryman and 2018 Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn alongside a host of European greats on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2025.
Freddie Jacobsen, a three-time winner on the DP World Tour, finished runner-up at 16 under after closing with a 71, with the Swede playing alongside Kjeldsen in all four rounds.
Chile’s Felipe Aguilar, who won twice on the DP World Tour, finished tied third at 14 under alongside the United States’ Mark Walker and Brendan Jones of Australia to round out the five players to earn PGA TOUR Champions cards for 2025.
Top five finishers at Q-School (Final Stage)
1. Søren Kjeldsen
2. Freddie Jacobson
3. Mark Walker
4. Felipe Aguilar
5. Brendan Jones
