The Player
Connor Hamm
Macomb, IL · Tucson, AZ
The Climb
"My path hasn't always been straight, and that's what I'm most proud of. I was never the best player in the room early on — I just kept showing up, kept improving, and eventually I won."
Connor grew up in Macomb, Illinois, where he learned the game from his dad and grandpa on the local municipal course. He played competitively all through junior golf, but didn't really break through until his senior year of high school — winning 11 tournaments and setting several school records along the way.
That season earned him a spot at Bradley University, where he played Division I golf and, by his junior year, had won twice and rewritten the program's scoring records. From there he transferred to Arizona, competing against some of the top amateurs in the country. He played in the majority of events for a top-20 Wildcats program, qualified for U.S. Open Sectionals, appeared on Golf Channel twice, and climbed to #125 in the national rankings.
Connor turned pro this year and is excited for what's ahead. His time in college prepared him for this next stage — the competition, the travel, and the week-to-week grind of playing at a high level. He's ready to put it to work.
"I'm 21 years old and my game is in the best shape of my life. A regular job will always be there. This window is now."
Accomplishments
- ★2× NCAA Division I Winner
- ★Bradley University single-round & tournament low-score record holder
- ★Reached as high as #125 in NCAA rankings
- ★Runner-up, Illinois State Amateur
- ★Featured twice on Golf Channel
- ★Three course records
- ★Qualified for U.S. Open Sectionals
- ★Competed in the majority of events for a top-20 Arizona Wildcats program
The Road Ahead
"My immediate goal is to earn status on the Korn Ferry Tour — the direct pathway to the PGA Tour. Q-School is the door. I intend to walk through it."
The 2026 season splits in two. Summer runs out of Macomb — Monday qualifiers, state opens, and mini-tour events. In August he moves to Tucson for the Asher Tour fall stretch, building toward Q-School.
Q-School is four stages, ending at TPC Sawgrass, where the top finishers earn Korn Ferry Tour status. That's the 2026 target. Connor is committing a minimum of two years to the run.
- → Summer 2026 — Monday qualifiers, state opens, mini-tour events
- → Fall 2026 — Asher Tour & Q-School run
- → Korn Ferry Tour status (Final Stage at TPC Sawgrass)
- → PGA Tour
"I just love to play golf and travel to play in tournaments all over — and just go out there and try to win. It'll be a dream come true to continue playing professionally."
Photos
Gallery
