Matt Picanso Shoots a 65 in Monday Qualifier to Get into KFT Chitimacha Louisiana Open

Matt Picanso's story has been well-documented by some talented writers and golf media outlets. When you have the time, I recommend reading Brentley Romine's (Golf Channel) November 2021 article from the Final Stage of Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) Q-School.

For starters, Matt's a bit older than most on the KFT (certainly his fellow rookie members), and he began playing competitive golf later (in college, as a walk-on) than ~99% of pros. Of course, once he made that team, success came fast -- including all-conference honors his second year. But that was short-lived, as his newfound love for golf and early Tour dreams were derailed for another half-decade after suffering a tragic personal loss.

His path back to the game hasn't always been a smooth one. But thanks to some amazing people in his corner (including his now fiancée and his swing coach), and his competitive edge, Matt's done A LOT of winning. During a 16-month stretch from January 2020 to April 2021, he won 17 times, and finished Top-10 in 75% of the events he played.

He's won more since too -- Dakotas Tour Player of the Year last summer and he was the Medalist by three strokes at KFT Q-School Second Stage at Bear Creek Golf Club in the fall.

He flies the ball forever off the tee, stuffs his wedges, and when his putter is going, mid-60s become pretty routine. You get the picture. Like everyone at his level, he's really good at golf.

Yet despite his talent and resolve, there are only so many spots available each week for KFT members. And without the outcome he expected at Final Stage in the fall, he has to fight his way into tournament fields for the time being. Which to know Matt (aka Pico), that seems about right. A fighter is exactly what he is, it's who he is.

He'll keep going until someone tells him the fight is over. Which is what he did at the Chitimacha Louisiana Open Qualifier yesterday (3/14). He birdied his final hole of regulation to get into the Oak Wing Golf Club clubhouse at -7 (65). After a long wait to see if his score would hold, he ended up going back out in a 3-for-2 playoff. He then went ahead and birdied the first playoff hole to secure his spot for the week.

Regardless of what comes during the Louisiana Open (3/17-20), we know there are many more 65s and trophies in Matt's future, and we're excited to have a front-row seat for the show!