Patrick Flavin's Dream is Coming True

What are the odds of advancing out of a 150-person Monday qualifier to play in a PGA Tour event that weekend, with only four spots up for grabs?

Patrick Flavin could probably do the math. (After all, the professional golfer and 2018 Miami University alum graduated with a degree in economics.)

But for those of us that might need a calculator, Flavin would have about a 2.67% chance of earning one of those coveted spots on any particular Monday.

Next question: What are the odds of advancing out of a 150-person Monday qualifier like that not once, not twice, not three times, not four times, but five different times in the same year?

Glad you asked. The answer: Approximately 1 out of 74 million.

And that's the story of Patrick Flavin's 2022 golf season in a nutshell. As Flavin chases his full-time PGA Tour card, he is making a living literally trying to play his way into tournament fields week by week…and having remarkable success doing so.

"It's obviously a tall task," Flavin said. He had hoped to get on to the Korn Ferry Tour this year (a step below the PGA Tour level), but didn't make it out of the 'Q-school' qualifying process last fall. That left Flavin with a more difficult path to his ultimate goal, but he has been up to the challenge.

"To go to these Monday qualifiers, it's hard odds," said Flavin. "I was really proud of the grit and resilience that I had to show this year."

"That's what he lives for," said Miami golf coach JD Fletcher, a college teammate and roommate of Flavin's. "He wants to be in that pressure situation. I think he just kind of goes for broke when he's playing in those things. His mentality is just to make a ton of birdies, and that's what he's been doing.

"It's pretty simple: You either shoot the number or you don't. The math is actually crazy…To get out of five Mondays is absolutely absurd. The odds are not in your favor, but the more he keeps playing, the more he figures them out.

"Those Mondays have really helped him get his game to the next level."

Flavin credited his experience during the RedHawks' 2015 MAC championship run, as well as the mental training he's done with Miami Athletics' consulting psychologist Jim Slager since then, for helping him learn how to play his best in high-stakes situations as a pro.

"Coming down the stretch of those Monday qualifiers, it can get a little frantic because you're just trying to get it done," Flavin said. "It's definitely the most pressure-packed situation, because it's all or nothing.

"I think that's what has prepared me well to do well on the PGA Tour once I get in. You have to just accept that the pressure you're feeling is a good thing: You've earned that pressure."

If (or lately, when) Flavin advances out of a Monday qualifier, that's when life really gets crazy. "I'm basically like a travel agent at this point," Flavin joked. "You have to figure out where you're staying, a car, who's caddying, and then you have to go to the tournament and figure out the course, so it's a really quick turnaround Tuesday/Wednesday to get prepared for the tournament." Flavin's father Mark has pitched in and caddied a few events this year, including booking last-minute flights to Bermuda and Puerto Rico once Patrick knew he was in the field. Former Miami teammate Scott Cahill has carried Flavin's bag in several events as well.

"I think it's the biggest joy in professional golf, getting through a Monday qualifier," said Flavin. "You've accomplished something really hard and you're looking forward to playing at the highest level.

"But that's also the challenge: You go through such an emotional high [on Monday] and you have to get yourself back to neutral and get ready to start the tournament. It takes a lot of energy out of you." Patrick Flavin Travelers Championship - Round One

Patrick Flavin Travelers Championship - Round One

Flavin has been part of nine PGA Tour events since October, supplementing the tournament berths he's won at Monday qualifiers with the occasional invitation by way of sponsor's exemption (such as the one he accepted to play in July's John Deere Classic in his home state of Illinois).

He's taken advantage of his opportunities as they come, posting an impressive four top-25 finishes in that span, including a career-best top-10 performance at the John Deere. The result: Flavin is guaranteed a spot in the three-event Korn Ferry finals that begin in mid-August, where the top 25 finishers will earn PGA Tour cards heading into the 2022-23 season.

"It feels really cool to accomplish that first goal of getting to the Korn Ferry finals, so now the path to getting my card is very clear," Flavin said. "And on top of that, playing on the PGA Tour has always been a dream of mine, so to be able to stack a bunch of those [events] in a row has been really, really fun."

As a Highwood, Ill. native, Flavin grew up watching and attending the John Deere Classic, and he couldn't help but notice through the years how many up-and-coming golf stars got their start by turning heads at that event, including family friend Jordan Spieth.

Since becoming a professional, Flavin has sent dozens of letters to the tournament director and other decisionmakers at similar events seeking one of a handful of sponsor exemption spots. "It's a lot like the college recruiting process," he explained. "When I was in high school, I was sending letters to different colleges, telling them about me and my story. This is basically me telling these tournament directors about what I'm doing, what I'm trying to accomplish through the Monday qualifiers, and these thresholds to try to earn my PGA Tour card.

"I'm explaining to them what a difference it would make in my career to play in their event…Finally, they gave me a chance and I finished top-10. It's a career-changing and a life-changing week for me."

Flavin was paired with 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson in the final round of the John Deere and enjoyed every minute of the experience, recording a five-under-par 66 for the second time in three days. "On the first tee, we had a huge gallery out following us," Flavin said. "It was incredible: I have never really experienced anything like that.

"I drew back a ton on those Monday qualifiers, just putting my head down and focusing on the golf, trying to hit the best shot I can in each moment…That being said, it was hard to do that because there's all my friends and family out there cheering me on. It was really cool, with so many people who have helped me get to this point coming and getting to celebrate at a PGA Tour event.

"I was trying to keep those emotions in check, but I was also soaking it all in. I'm not entirely sure it really has sunk in. It was a dream come true and a huge step toward earning my Tour card, so it was an amazing week."

Fletcher and the RedHawks have enjoyed watching Flavin climb so many leaderboards over the past year, and Flavin has done his part to stay connected to the Miami golf program through it all, taking time to talk to the team's current student-athletes about scheduling, strategy and more. "We've always been trying to recruit guys here who want to go to the next level," said Fletcher. "If you have 10 guys who all want to play on the PGA Tour one day, you're going to create a very competitive environment at home.

"He's just the epitome of what I want all my recruits to do, and what I want all my players to look up to. I'm so grateful for Patrick's success right now. Guys can see, 'Hey, if I come to Miami, this is something I can do.'"

Flavin will play in the KFT's Utah Championship this weekend, and he's also thinking about what a successful showing at the upcoming Korn Ferry finals could mean for his future. The finals begin in Boise, Idaho on August 18, with the remaining two events set for Midwest locations close to home (Columbus, Ohio followed by Newburgh, Ind.).

All that stands between Flavin and his PGA Tour card is a top-25 spot in the final standings.

"My plan is just to get that done," he said simply.

Of course, it won't be easy. There will be 150 golfers competing for those 25 cards.

More math.

25 out of 150?

Patrick Flavin has to like those odds.

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