Ian Holt claimed his second straight Korn Ferry Tour title by winning The Panama Championship with an 8-under total, edging out Adam Hadwin by two strokes. This marks the first time since 1990 that a player has won twice in the first three events of a season. Holt now leads the 2026 points list with 1,036.50 points.
Ian Holt delivered a strong final round of 3-under 67 to win The Panama Championship, finishing at 8-under 272 for a two-stroke victory over PGA Tour veteran Adam Hadwin, who ended at 6-under in his first Korn Ferry Tour appearance since 2014. Holt's back-to-back triumphs began with The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club, making him the first player to achieve consecutive wins since Harry Higgs in 2024. He played the final six holes in 1-under par, securing the win with five pars and a birdie on the par-4 14th.
This achievement places Holt in elite company, as he becomes the first in Korn Ferry Tour history—established in 1990—to secure two victories in the opening three events of a season. Previously, players like Wesley Bryan in 2016 and Carlos Ortiz in 2014, who won twice within the first six events, went on to earn the Three-Victory Promotion to the PGA Tour. Last season, Holt finished 42nd on the points list to gain full 2026 status, with his only prior Panama outing yielding a T54 in 2025.
Holt turned professional in 2018 after a standout college career at Kent State University, where he won three times and earned MAC Golfer of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018. His recent success on PGA Tour Americas in 2024, including a win at the Explore NB Open, elevated him to Korn Ferry Tour membership.
In the final standings, Trevor Cone placed third at 4-under, his best since his 2022 victory. Cole Hammer, Ian Gilligan, and Jeremy Gandon tied for fourth at 3-under, each marking personal milestones on tour. Holt now tops the 2026 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, positioning him well for potential PGA Tour membership at season's end.
