When you think of the PGA Tour, you probably imagine seasoned pros grinding through 18 holes under the hot sun. But the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic is shaking things up this year with a fresh face in the field—one who built his reputation not on the fairway, but on YouTube.
As an "opposite-field" event on the PGA Tour, the Myrtle Beach Classic often has to work a little harder to draw attention. This year, it's pulling out all the stops. The three-year-old tournament boasts a lineup that includes five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, who's making his way back to full PGA Tour status after returning from LIV Golf in January. He's joined by a solid roster of names like Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Eric Cole, Joel Dahmen, Cam Davis, Nick Dunlap, Billy Horschel, Tom Kim, and others.
But one entry stands out from the rest: Ryan Ruffels. A 28-year-old Australian with 60,000 YouTube subscribers, Ruffels is no stranger to competitive golf—he's played in 120 events across PGA Tour-sanctioned tours. But this time, he earned his spot in a way that's turning heads. He won "The Q at Myrtle Beach," a two-round, stroke-play shootout held at Pawleys Plantation Golf & Country Club in South Carolina. There, he outlasted seven other content creators, including Grant Horvat, to claim the final of 10 sponsor exemptions.
"This is what you dream about when you start creating content," Ruffels said after his victory. "The chance to bridge the gap and prove you can still compete at the highest level. Playing against competitors like George [Bryan IV] and Grant with a PGA Tour spot on the line is a massive adrenaline rush. I'm honored to represent the creator community next week at the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic."
Ruffels' presence is so significant that he's been given the first interview slot on Tuesday at Dunes Golf and Beach Club. He also brings a notable family connection: his sister, Gabi Ruffels, was the 2023 Epson Tour Player of the Year and a three-year LPGA member. The other nine sponsor exemptions went to Grayson Wood, Wells Williams, Trent Phillips, and more, but it's Ruffels' content-creator-to-pro journey that's adding a fresh layer of excitement to this year's event.
Whether you're a golf purist or a fan of the creator community, this story proves that sometimes the most compelling players aren't the ones you see on leaderboards—they're the ones who earned their shot through a little creativity and a lot of grit.