Franklin Regional grad Palmer Jackson looking for strong finish on HotelPlanner.com Tour
It has been a good golf season for Murrysville native Palmer Jackson on the European HotelPlanner.com Tour, the European version of the PGA’s Korn Ferry Tour.
While he fell short of earning full exemption to the DP Tour by two shots last November, he did return home with a job.
He earned exemption in the HotelPlanner.com Tour.
That tour competed in several countries, including South Africa, India, Spain, France, Ireland, Scotland, Finland, China and Abu Dhabi.
Jackson, with one professional win under his belt, ranks 30th with a month left in the season.
He needs to stay in the Top 30 to give him status in eight of the DP Tour events. The DP Tour is Europe’s version of the PGA Tour.
A Top 20 finish will give him full exemption to the DP Tour for 2026.
“I cannot complain,” Jackson said. “I am not one who looks at the rankings. All I want to do is put myself in contention to win the final three events.”
The 2019 Franklin Regional grad and 2018 PIAA Class 3A champion is in China (Oct. 9-12 and Oct. 16-10) before heading to the final event of the year in Spain (Oct. 30-Nov. 2).
“Points are elevated the last three events,” Jackson said. “One win would probably be good.”
Jackson is looking for a strong finish like he had a year ago when he qualified for the tour.
While he was home, Jackson won the Tri-State PGA Tommy E. Nettles Memorial Invitational by shooting an 8-under par 136 and taking home a $15,000 purse.
“Anything helps when you go to China,” said the 2024 Notre Dame graduate.
Jackson’s tour win came June 15 when he grabbed the Raiffeisenbank Golf Challenge in Brno, Czech Republic.
He dedicated his victory to his ailing mother, Nancy, who was battling cancer.
“She told me to win for her,” Jackson said. “The good news is she is cancer free.”
He also finished ninth, 15th and 30th.
After the tournament in Spain, he will participate in the DP Tour Q-school and then return home and play in the Korn Ferry Tour Q-school.
“I would like to qualify to play in the states,” Jackson said. “If it does not work out, I have already qualified for the HotelPlanner.com Tour.”
Jackson said it was difficult to obtain a Visa to play in China.
He also had to take time off during the season, so he had enough days to play late in the season. Jackson said he was not allowed to visit more than 90 days.
He also had to learn the different languages and foods and navigate travel abroad.
“There are a lot of smaller vehicles,” Jackson said. “You do not see many pickup trucks.
“It is a bit different. Everything is older. Navigating can be difficult.”
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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