EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Golf alum Zach Williams is competing on the PGA Tour Americas this summer, becoming the first former Screaming Eagle to earn a professional tour card.
 
PGA Tour Americas is a professional golf tour that features a Latin America swing and a North America swing. It is an international pathway tour that offers players a chance to earn Korn Ferry Tour status.
 
"It is hard to put into words, but this opportunity sure means a lot!" Williams said. "I feel like I have been working for this since before high school. To have this opportunity is special and never something I want to take for granted."
 
Williams said the process of earning status on the PGA Tour Americas included working on his game every day and setting his long-term goals.
 
"Golf is very hard, and sometimes you don't see or notice yourself getting better, but you are in little amounts," Williams stated. "Those little amounts add up to big jumps in skill eventually, but it takes work and a lot of dedication. I am continuing to learn how to believe in myself and having the mentality that I can compete against anyone."
 
PGA Tour Americas tournaments run from Thursday through Sunday and are four-day, 72-hole stroke play competitions featuring a 36-hole cut after two rounds. After the first 15 events, the top 120 players on the PGA Tour Americas Points List will be eligible for the Fortinet Cup Championship. The top 10 players on the final 2025 Fortinet Cup Standings will earn exempt Korn Ferry Tour membership for next year.
 
Williams competed for the Screaming Eagles under former head coach Dave Turpin from 2018 to 2023, helping USI to three team tournament championship wins at the Don Morris Invitational in 2019, Saginaw Valley State University Spring Invitational in 2022, and the Bill Blazer Memorial in 2022. Williams tied for first individually at the 2019 Don Morris Invitational. Plus, Williams was a member of USI's GLVC Championship semifinalist team, which placed in the top 10 at the NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Regional.
 
"Zach was and still is a great representation of USI Athletics and USI Men's Golf," current USI Men's Golf Head Coach Ryan Chandler stated. "What he has accomplished this year is a great achievement and should be celebrated. From graduating at the top of the all-time scoring list in our program in 2023 to earning his status on the PGA Tour Americas, Zach has demonstrated resilience and an extension of his work ethic and drive. His accomplishments also show our current players what is possible if they work hard and do things right while they are here."
 
During his time as a Screaming Eagle, Williams would put extra reps in outside of team practices, growing to enjoy the practice and grind of improving his skills.
 
"It is very easy to get burnt out considering how much we play and practice," Williams commented. "My team helped me remember that golf is still just a game, and even though there are money purses and jobs on the line, I am blessed for the opportunity to get to do this and continue to improve each day."
 
Williams is tied for the second-lowest single-round score (65) and the second-best 54-hole tournament score (208) in USI history, which he recorded both marks at the 2022 Golfweek Fall Challenge. During the 2022-23 season, Williams notched a season average of 72.59 strokes per round, which sits fourth in the USI Men's Golf record books. He is third on the USI career list with an average of 74.03.
 
Williams was an All-OVC selection in 2022-23 after earning three OVC Golfer of the Week honors that season. He also notched an All-GLVC selection and a GLVC Golfer of the Week accolade during the 2021-22 campaign. During his USI career, Williams logged 38 rounds below par and 18 top-10 finishes, including seven top fives.
 
"Zach has consistently come back and supported our guys over the last couple of years since graduating, which has meant a lot to me as the new coach," Chandler added. We are proud of the way he has earned this opportunity in his career and will continue to promote and support his efforts to make it to the PGA Tour."
 
"I have qualified for two Korn Ferry Tour events in addition to earning status on PGA Tour Americas this year," Williams said. "Playing golf for a living is exciting, and having that chance is awesome and something I truly enjoy. I look forward to continuing to improve and see how far a kid from southern Illinois can go!"
 
More information about the PGA Tour Americas can be found here.