It’s been a big 11 months and change for professional golf in Colorado.
There was the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship last August at Castle Pines Golf Club and the 2025 U.S. Senior Open this past June at The Broadmoor’s East course.
Now, it’s the Korn Ferry Tour’s turn, as pro golfers return to Berthoud for The Ascendant presented by Blue at TPC Colorado. The tournament takes place July 10-13.
This will be the seventh annual edition of the popular Korn Ferry Tour event that started in 2019, and it’s a crucial one for aspiring PGA Tour hopefuls.
The TPC Colorado stop kicks off the back portion of the tour calendar, as top golfers hope to cement a top-20 finish in the season standings to earn their PGA Tour card.
Here’s what golf fans should know about the 2025 edition of The Ascendant at TPC Colorado, including players to watch, how to watch/follow online, ticket options and more.
Players to watch at TPC Colorado
The Colorado connections
- Zahkai Brown: The 2013 Colorado Open champ and Colorado State alumnus qualified on a sponsor’s exemption, shooting an 8-under 64 to win the open division qualifier. The Westminster native will be making his fourth start at the event but first since 2022.
- Brayden Forte: The 17-year-old Aurora native earned the 21-and-under qualifying spot, also shooting an 8-under 64. Forte, a rising senior at Cherokee Trail High School, beat out CU golfer Ty Holbrook for his first Korn Ferry Tour appearance.
- Kyle Westmoreland: The former Air Force Academy standout is 21st on the tour’s points list and won the Astara Golf Championship earlier this year. A win on this familiar course could all but lock up a PGA Tour card for the former Falcon.
- Tom Whitney: The 2010 Air Force graduate and former Fort Collins resident is coming off his best finish of the season, tying for 11th at the Memorial Health Championship in late June.
- Josh Creel: The Cheyenne native and former CU golfer has a runner-up finish this year at the KFT’s Veritex Bank Championship but could use a solid finish after missing five cuts in six starts.
A loaded field
This year’s Ascendant field could be the event’s strongest to date, showcasing eight of the top 200 players in the Official World Golf Rankings:
- John Keefer (ranked 82nd)
- Austin Smotherman (110th)
- Pierceson Coody (122nd)
- S.H. Kim (126th)
- Kensie Hirata (133rd)
- Neal Shipley (140th) (Low amateur at 2024 Masters and U.S. Open)
- Hank Lebioda (155th)
- Trace Crowe (174th)
The field also features nine of the top-10 players field on the Korn Ferry Tour Points List, including Smotherman (1), Keefer (2), Lebioda (3), Kim (4), Coody (5), Davis Chatfield (6), Emilio Gonzalez (7), Mitchell Meissner (9) and Shipley (10).
Smotherman could also immediately earn his PGA Tour card with a third win this season after winning two of the previous three events.
Former PGA Tour winners in 2025 TPC Colorado field:
- Ben Crane (5 wins)
- Nick Watney (5)
- Scott Piercy (4)
- Cameron Champ (3)
- Russell Knox (2)
- Andrew Landry (2)
- Robert Streb (2)
- Austin Cook (1)
- Adam Long (1)
Tournament schedule, format
The tournament features four 18-hole rounds, one per day July 10 through July 13. The field of 156 will be cut to the low 65 scores (including ties) for the final two rounds on July 12 and July 13.
Leaders are expected to tee off by 1 p.m. on the weekend, weather permitting.
The prize purse for the 2025 edition is again $1 million, with the winner set to earn $180,000 for the third straight year.
Past TPC Colorado results, champions
The tournament has been a record-setter, with the event scoring record set or matched in all six previous years. It’s also been close, with only last year’s champion (Cristobal Del Solar, 4) winning by more than two shots.
Here are the previous Ascendant at TPC Colorado winners:
The Ascendant has often launched PGA Tour careers, with Ledesma, Zalatoris, Dou and Lindheim all moving up after winning at TPC Colorado. Brian Campbell (two-time PGA Tour winner this year) also finished third here last year.
Del Solar will not be defending his 2024 title this week after moving up to the PGA Tour.
Ticket prices for The Ascendant at TPC Colorado
Ticket prices have largely remained the same this year for The Ascendant at TPC Colorado.
Grounds Passes (general admission)
- $25 per day
- $60 for all four days (July 10 through July 13)
Clubhouse Access
Grounds admission plus access to the TPC Colorado clubhouse. This pass offers tournament-exclusive food access and seating on a first-come basis with access to a full bar and views of the 16th tee box.
- July 10: $40
- July 11: $40
- July 12: $50
- July 13: $50
- Weekly: $100
Tickets for the VIP Summit Club hospitality tent (located behind the 15th green) run $225-$250 per day and $900 for all four days.
You can purchase tickets at theascendant.com/tickets.
Free admission is available for:
- U.S. active duty and U.S. military retirees with a valid military ID
- Anyone 15 years and younger when accompanied by a ticketed adult
- PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Canada, PGA TOUR Latinoamerica, PGA TOUR China, PGA of America or LPGA members and staff
What to know for fans attending The Ascendant at TPC Colorado
There are several prohibited items for fans, including lawn chairs, posters and signs, outside beverages, video cameras, pets or weapons of any kind.
Bags can be brought on the grounds but must be clear or smaller than 6-by-6-by-6 inches.
Parking is located at the TPC Colorado entrance off Grand Market Avenue and TPC Parkway. Tournament staff will direct you once you drive past the TPC Colorado Gatehouse.
For more fan FAQs and information, visit theascendant.com/spectator-information.
How to watch, follow The Ascendant at TPC Colorado
A leaderboard for the 2025 Ascendant at TPC Colorado will be available online throughout the tournament at PGAtour.com/korn-ferry-tour/leaderboard.html.
There will also be livestreaming on the weekend. You can watch at PGA Tour Live and GolfChannel.com.
Chris Abshire covers high school and community sports for the Coloradoan.
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