Andre Chi is the kind of golfer who thrives when the odds are stacked against him. From battling fierce winds to grinding through Monday Qualifiers on sheer determination, he has proven that talent and perseverance can outshine the biggest names in the game. A rising star with a true underdog story, Chi is making waves in the golf world, earning his place on the PGA Tour the hard way. Today, we take a deep dive into his journey—from his early days in Flushing, NY, to his latest breakthrough on the biggest stage.
Andre Chi grew up dreaming about professional golf long before the spotlight ever found him. The son of Daegun and Sun Chi, a dental tech, and a part-time nanny, he developed his passion at an early age. That passion is now reaping results as he is set to make his PGA Tour debut. When asked about what it would mean to play in his first Tour event, Chi reflected on his journey from an unknown Division III golfer to a PGA Tour player.
“Yeah, I mean, this is what I dreamed of since I was eight years old. I started playing when I was four. I was never a standout, you know, junior. I played Division III at Methodist University and was under a great program there. And to be a class-A PGA professional and be out there in the field—it’s gonna be a great honor to represent those guys, and I look forward to it,” he said.
Andre Chi didn’t rise through the ranks of elite amateur circuits with sponsorships or grand expectations. Instead, he worked, grinded, and kept believing. His dedication led him to Methodist University, where he majored in business administration with a concentration in professional golf management. It was here that his game truly started taking shape. Methodist University has long been a powerhouse in NCAA Division III golf, and Chi’s name is firmly etched into its legacy.
His 2021-22 season was nothing short of spectacular. Competing in 10 tournaments that season, Chi secured seven Top 10 finishes, including two victories—the NCAA DIII Fall Preview and the NCAA Division III National Championship. He finished first out of 221 golfers in the national championship, proving his ability to deliver under pressure. His stellar performances earned him a slew of accolades, including the NCAA Division III PING First-Team All-American, NCAA Division III PING All-South Region Selection, and First-Team USA South All-Conference Selection. He has also been a three-time USA South Golfer of the Week.
Perhaps more impressively, he shot a nine-under score at the NCAA Division III Fall Preview, showcasing the precision and consistency that would later define his professional journey. Yet, despite his success, Chi remained under the radar. Unlike many collegiate stars who transition into the pro ranks with media buzz, Chi’s path remained a quiet but determined one.
Yesterday at the Valspar Monday Q our Florida intern @ctimmerman35 talked with Andre Chi, whose story has gone viral.
“I’ve dreamed about this since I was 8, I’ve never been a standout”.
Mondays for life. pic.twitter.com/7iR0HByQ7d
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) March 18, 2025
Fast forward to 2024, and the name Andre Chi is making waves in the golf world, and rightfully so!
Andre Chi’s Monday Q heroics
On Monday, March 11, the young golfer took part in the Valspar Championship Monday Qualifier, a high-stakes, one-day event where countless hopeful golfers battle for just a handful of spots in the PGA Tour. Facing 30mph winds, Chi carded a gutsy 67, including an eagle and a four-under on his last six holes. It’s truly the kind of story that reminds us why underdogs in golf capture our hearts—fueled by hard work, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of a dream.
After school, he got an assistant pro job at Deepdale in New York. He played a bunch of section events, where he had some small wins. He tried Q-school last year and missed by two strokes. Then, he came down to Florida for the winter and is living by himself, playing section events. Chi signed up for the pre-qualifier and put it on his credit card. Besides section events and state opens, he has never really played a legit event. Just like anyone playing his first event, Chi is just as overwhelmed. ]He has no idea how anything works, where to go, where to park, how to register, etc. He just has $60 left in his checking.
Ok, I’m not writing and having someone edit it. Off we go.
Andre Chi just Monday Q’d for the Valspar. He was an ok junior golfer, but only got d3 offers. His freshman year at Methodist he averaged 77. Played 2 events.
Improved each year, won the D3 National Championship his…
— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) March 18, 2025
His interview with Chris Timmerman further highlighted the depth of his achievement. When asked about the conditions and what it meant to possibly qualify for his first PGA Tour event, Chi responded candidly: “I’ve been playing really well lately, been putting in a lot of hard work—seeing it pay off feels great. I mean, I knew coming into this today, it was gonna be really tough, and 67 was a good score on the first day, but these conditions—they didn’t have my best out there, but I scrambled my ass off. And we’re sitting at 67, that feels great.”
As the last groups trickled in, Chi’s spot was secured.
Why does Andre Chi’s story matter?
Monday Qualifiers have long been the proving ground for players like Chi—talented golfers who don’t have the luxury of guaranteed Tour starts. These events are where unknown names fight for their shot at professional glory, and Chi’s journey resonates deeply with golf fans.
While Chi’s story is inspiring, it’s also bittersweet. The PGA Tour has announced plans to drastically reduce Monday Qualifier spots starting in 2026, cutting the number of available spots from four to two in events like the Valspar Championship. This decision has sparked outrage among golf purists and fans alike.
Monday Qualifiers have produced incredible stories and even winners—most recently Corey Conners at the 2019 Valero Texas Open. And yet, the Tour’s justification for the change—reducing field size to prevent scheduling delays—hasn’t sat well with the golf community. For players like Andre Chi, Monday Qs represent an irreplaceable pathway to the highest levels of golf. His journey—from a little-known Division III golfer to teeing it up at the Valspar—is exactly the kind of story that makes golf so compelling. But with the PGA Tour’s changes looming, opportunities like these may soon be a thing of the past.
The post Meet Andre Chi: Lifestyle, Career & More Details About Golfer Playing in Valspar Championship 2025 appeared first on EssentiallySports.
