BOISE, Idaho — St. Mary's University alumnus Emilio Gonzalez secured a PGA TOUR membership for 2026 on Sunday with his victory at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron.
Gonzalez, who golfed for the Rattlers from 2016-2020, shot a 262 (-22) for the tournament, winning by one stroke over Jeffrey Kang. Gonzalez began the fourth round with an eagle on hole one, and recorded another on the par-five 16th hole, adding seven birdies with only one bogey for his round of 61 (-10). It is the first Korn Ferry Tour victory for Gonzalez, who becomes the fourth player on the tour this season to earn a PGA TOUR membership for next year.
He entered the final round three shots back of the lead, and the victory moves him into No. 4 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour points list.
Gonzalez said to Idaho Statesman reporter Rachel Roberts, "I just felt like something special could happen today," at the conclusion of the tournament. "Fortunately, it worked out my way, and I got some good breaks, too."
Prior to his victory Sunday evening, Gonzalez recorded six top 10s in 20 starts this season, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open. The 27-year old's victory at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron propelled him to No. 4 on the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour Points List and effectively secured one of the 20 PGA TOUR cards available through the Points List. In his third season on the Korn Ferry Tour, Gonzalez has competed in three career starts on the PGA TOUR, and will be a rookie in 2026. He finished T74 at the 2024 Texas Children's Houston Open for his lone made cut in those three starts. Earlier this season, he made his major championship debut at the 2025 U.S. Open, earning a spot in the field through open qualifying.
With the Rattlers, Gonzalez was a two-time All-American, a semifinalist for the Division II Jack Nicklaus Player of the Year, and the 2018 and 2019 Heartland Conference Player of the Year, as well as the 2020 Lone Star Conference Golfer of the Year. He won seven tournaments throughout his career with the Rattlers. He set the program record for single-season scoring average of 71.38 as a sophomore and then broke his own record the following year with a 70.68 average.
Gonzalez will now have the next four weeks off from competition before the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Finals during the Simmons Bank Open in Franklin, Tenn., on Sept. 11-14.
Portions of this article were provided by staff at PGATOUR.com and Rachel Roberts from the Idaho Statesman.
