In the most tense moments in competitive golf, the pressure often shows up in nervous swings and uncomfortable shots. But during the final round of Q-School on Sunday, she got hit Ben Kohls in a different way, one that sends it falling off a part of the lead in the boundaries in the space of two holes.
Bound at the top in the Valley course at TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., Kohles pushed his drive on the 8th hole right into the trees. His ball came to rest amid a scattering of leaves. Before hitting his second shot, while trying to clear debris around his lie, Kohles inadvertently set his ball in motion and incurred a one-stroke penalty. Kohles punched out and went on to bogey the hole, which dropped him to 9-under and a T8-under but not completely out of contention.
Heartbreaking penalty at Q-School. ðŸ˜
Ben Kohles was T1 and in position to earn his card. On the 8th hole he accidentally caused his ball to move and was assessed a one stroke penalty.
Double bogey drops him to T8.
pic.twitter.com/6XoTS8Sd9t—GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) December 14, 2025
Any remaining margin for error disappeared, however, on the next hole, the par-4 9th, where Kohles dropped his ball into the water to the right of the fairway. Another penalty and another double. Kohles marched to the 10th tee in a T22.
Always a stress test, this year Q-School Finals is playing in a particularly unforgiving way, thanks to an offseason format change that only offers PGA Tour cards to the top five finishers. In past years, the top five finishers and ties all made it to the big stage.
Since turning pro in 2012, Kohles has enjoyed steady stints on the PGA Tour, including last season. In 2025, he finished 145th in FedExCup points on the PGA Tour, which gives him restricted status for 2026. But Sunday’s painful stretch at Q-School has put his goal of full-time status out of reach for now.
