Sloan gets validation from peers on gutsy performance to get into FedEx Cup Playoffs

KAMLOOPS — Roger Sloan, with the FedEx Cup Playoffs a distant reality a few weeks ago, thought he would be having to battle back into PGA Tour once again.

He was 29 spots from the Top 125 on Canada Day. Even as he climbed up the leaderboard over the weekend at the Wyndham Championship, he questioned his chances of making it.

“A lot of different emotions were in play there on the back nine,” Sloan told CFJC Today. “I think I was on 14 tee, took a brief look at the leaderboard, and I kind of know at that point where I was at. A couple bogeys and I’m catching a plane to Boise and going to the Korn Ferry [Tour] Final trying to get a PGA Tour card through that process. Then I’m only two birdies away from maybe winning the golf tournament.”

The Merritt native birdied two of his last three holes to earn his way into a six-way playoff, the first such playoff since 2001. He was a bit star-struck by the field he was competing against.

“Chaos, but super humbled by the caliber of players in the playoff. You had a Masters champion, you had a WGC champion, you had a Players’ champion. You had Branden Grace who shot 62 at a British Open — the lowest score ever at a major. Just seeing the resume of those fellow competitors in that playoff was very humbling. I was just honoured to be there,” said Sloan.

The 34-year-old was a birdie away on the first playoff hole from winning his first-ever PGA Tour event, but it wasn’t meant to be. However, Sloan got into the FedEx Cup Playoffs and can breath a sigh of relief he has his card for next year.

“With getting the Top 125 status, now I’m considered a full member,” he said. “It gets me to the Players’ Championship, which I’m super excited about. My last Players’ Championship is when COVID hit. We played our first round and COVID completely shut everything down, so I didn’t actually to compete in the Players’ Championship. But I get to set my own schedule, too.”

With the comeback he made — from 154th to 92nd — in the last six weeks, he feels he belongs on the Tour and can become a regular member that doesn’t have to fight for his Tour card every year.

“Definitely things are trending in that direction. That’s what we’re working towards. I’d like to have a lengthy career in the PGA Tour and I know that I’m capable enough to win out here and spend a decent amount of years out here competing,” said Sloan.

Sloan has received encouraging messages the last couple weeks from fellow Tour members, including Kevin Na, who was also part of that six-way playoff and is ranked 24th in the FedEx Cup standings.

“When I tapped in on 18 in regulation, Kevin Na came up to me, and obviously he was aware of what was at stake for me that particular day. Both Kevin Na and Kevin Kisner were just extremely great competitors to play with. They were both very aware of the situation, but Kevin Na came up. He’s like, ‘Congratulations, you played great, considering the circumstances.’”

“Then he came back to me and he’s like, ‘Wait a minute. Why are you even in this situation?’ It was nice to get that validation from a peer of mine who’s Top 30 in the FedEx Cup right now and to get that validation from another peer. It’s like, ‘Hey, you’re way too good to be in that situation.’”

Sloan has another challenge ahead, needing to get into the Top 70 at this week’s Northern Trust Open to advance in the playoffs.