ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — Securing a PGA Tour card is a challenging endeavor, and Joel Dahmen’s journey underscores that reality. Growing up with natural talent, his life took a drastic turn in high school when he faced the devastating loss of his mother to cancer during his junior year. Shortly thereafter, his brother was diagnosed with testicular cancer, and about 18 months later, Dahmen himself received the same diagnosis. This series of misfortunes defined a difficult period in his life.
There was a point when Dahmen hit rock bottom, spending two weeks at home with a dog he adopted for companionship. During that time, he struggled financially, unable to pay his phone bill for two months until Lona—now his wife—demanded that he either practice his golf or find a job. She even lent him $200 for a lesson. The lesson itself didn’t teach him anything new; it was symbolic of his commitment to the game. Fast forward three years, and Dahmen had earned his PGA Tour card.
“This marks my eighth year here,” he reflected. “I probably made it longer than I imagined I could.” However, the pressure to retain a Tour card can feel even more overwhelming. Dahmen can personally attest to this, especially as he faced a close call at Sea Island. Just a 5-foot par putt away from missing the cut, he knew his chances of remaining in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings were rapidly dwindling.
Speaking with emotion, Dahmen described the immense pressure surrounding that crucial putt that kept his dreams alive. “It’s like sleeping on the lead of a major every night… but perhaps even a bit more stressful,” he noted. His situation turned around dramatically during the final round of the RSM Classic. Projected to fall outside the top 125 when he started the day, he executed a stunning sand wedge from 113 yards for an eagle, followed by birdie putts that led him to solidify his place with a 64.
Entering the competition at No. 124, Dahmen completed his week still ranked No. 124—an outcome that was much more complex and nerve-wracking than mere numbers.
In his earlier years on the PGA Tour, Dahmen nearly lost his card. During his debut season in 2017, he struggled through four weeks of Web.com Tour Finals, ultimately clinching the 49th of 50 cards thanks to a tie for sixth place in the penultimate event. Reflecting on his first year, he realized he didn’t fully appreciate what he was fighting to keep. Sunday’s finish carried an emotional weight as he shared tears with Lona and enjoyed celebratory drinks with friends on tour.
“I think you take it a little for granted,” he said. “My ranking usually hovers between 50 and 90 on the FedEx Cup, and while it feels easier, it’s also made for a vibrant community. We all have kids around the same age, and it’s amazing to share our lives together on tour.” The thought of losing that sense of community weighed heavily on him.
Dahmen has become a well-loved figure in the golf community, often referred to as an everyman rather than just a journeyman, and has gained recognition through the Netflix docuseries “Full Swing.” Nonetheless, the past year presented significant challenges, especially in the final stretch. After encountering a double bogey on his 16th hole on Saturday, Dahmen was briefly thrust outside the top 125. The evening felt somber and heavy, akin to a “funeral effect.” While driving to pick up his son Riggs—who will turn two next January—he pondered whether he would still have that chance to collect him from tour daycare in the coming year.
Yet, he showed resilience, arguably even stronger than the moment he celebrated his lone victory on the PGA Tour in the Dominican Republic in 2021. In the two most decisive rounds of his year—Friday, as cold winds challenged him to maintain his standings, and Sunday, crucial for retaining his card—he succeeded. Always reminding himself that the job wasn’t finished, Dahmen encapsulated the mentality that pushed him through.
Looking toward the future, he knows that while his performance on Sunday secured him a spot, significant changes await next season. With the PGA Tour restructuring to retain only the top 100 players—down from 125—the competition is set to become even fiercer.
“Will I only get a year at 125 or will it be down to 100 next year?” he mused. “I thought I had another year of freedom.” He laughed, displaying his characteristic humor even amidst uncertainty.
As he directs his gaze to the upcoming season—just seven weeks away with the Sony Open—Dahmen has earned the right to celebrate but also acknowledges the need to keep improving. Achieving success on the greens now means even more work ahead; the stakes are higher, and the camaraderie, the moments with friends and family, and the life he’s built in the golf world are things he’s not ready to part with.
“Facing some of the biggest pressure moments of my career and showing up means a lot for moving forward,” he stated. “I’ll carry this momentum through to the Sony.”