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Jordan Hahn sensed that his time was coming.
Hahn had played several Korn Ferry Tour Monday qualifiers but not made it to any of that tour’s events.
Still, the 2015 Richmond-Burton graduate from Spring Grove was comfortable with the way he was swinging and felt good about his golf game.
“I feel like everything’s screwed in tight,” Hahn said. “Everything feels good. I’ve been piecing it together. It’s nice to see the low rounds pay off.”
As a Korn Ferry Tour alternate, Hahn can play in Monday qualifying tournaments for both Korn Ferry and PGA events.
On Monday, Hahn tied for first place with a 6-under-par 66 at Southern Hills Plantation in Brooksville, Florida, qualifying him to play in the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Hahn, 23, will tee off at 1:17 p.m. Thursday with Kramer Hickok and Ryan Brehm at Innisbrook Copperhead in Palm Harbor, Florida.
Hahn and Brad Adamonis both shot 66s in Monday’s qualifier. Daniel Chopra and Michael Visacki shot 67s and had to earn the other two Valspar berths in a playoff.
Hahn will have his own personal gallery comprised of his parents, Ron and Cami, his sister, Mackenzie, and his girlfriend, Elle Noone, and her family.
“There will definitely be some nerves. but good nerves,” Hahn said. “I played a practice round [Tuesday] and spent the day at the course. They really roll out the red carpet for you. I’m driving a Lexus courtesy car with the tournament sponsor on the side.
“Behind us today, Dustin Johnson, the top-ranked player in the world, was playing. It’s cool. Everyone has been so welcoming, the tour staff, the other players, congratulating me and asking if there’s anything they can assist you with. It made me feel more comfortable today.”
Hahn advanced to the final stage of PGA Qualifying School in 2019. Although he missed qualifying, he played well enough to earn alternate status to the Korn Ferry Tour, a developmental tour for aspiring pro golfers.
On April 19, he was close to qualifying for a Korn Ferry event but lost in a playoff of seven players for one spot. This Monday, he qualified for the big tour.
Southern Hills Plantation holds a spot deep in Hahn’s heart.
“I got through the second stage of Q school in 2019 to get a Korn Ferry Tour card,” Hahn said. “That course holds some good mojo for me, for sure.”
Hahn contacted caddie John Paul Kellogg, whom he worked with in Q School. As luck would have it, the player Kellogg caddies for on the Korn Ferry Tour was taking this weekend off.
Hahn won the Crooked Cat Challenge, a Florida Elite Golf Tour event, in December, his first professional victory. He moved to Scottsdale, Az., and has taken advantage of his status to play the TPC Scottsdale course.
“I’ve been playing with a lot of fellow guys I’ll be competing with this week,” Hahn said. “I’ve been practicing there, playing some Korn Ferry Monday qualifiers.
“I’ve been playing a lot of golf recently. I knew it was just a matter of time. The switch kind of flipped the last two weeks, and I’m glad to see the low numbers pay off. I got out of a little bit of a bad rut of trying to work on a lot of things. I just try to fill my time with playing, being out on the golf course, not at the practice facility. That’s helped me hit shots and learn how to score.”
On Thursday, Hahn will experience the biggest moment of his golfing career when he tees off in a PGA tournament.
“People made me feel comfortable here today, including me in their conversations,” Hahn said. “It sets a tone that everybody out there are just other guys. I know I can compete with them. I’m looking forward to the opportunity, for sure.”