Tosti, You're Toast, Part I: The Incident Itself

 Hitherto I've dealt primarily with Upper Midwest connections in the world of tour golf. After all, I am a cradle Upper Midwesterner, having been born in Grand Forks, North Dakota and lived the rest of my life in Minnesota. But this is a story that relates to a theme I've covered before here, and that's the integrity of the game. Thankfully, no Umcees were hurt (or otherwise involved) in the incident or the making of the present report or any sources on which it's based.

If you follow the Korn Ferry Tour on any level, odds are you've heard of the phrase "Tour-bound." This means a given player on the Korn Ferry Tour has accrued enough points (formerly money) to earn his PGA Tour card, which is obviously the goal of all KFT members. For the first few years of the points-list era, 900 was the failsafe threshold needed to be assured of said goal. Of course, this year PGA Tour cards are also available to some degree via Q-school for the first time since 2012, so the KFT Finals were converted into a four-event conclusion to the KFT season from now on. No longer do you have interlopers from the PGA Tour taking advantage of the yo-yo opportunity to bounce back from a disappointing season or seasons. Instead, it's all about the next wave of players, from the rank and file to the stars. Hence, the threshold is now 1100 points. So far, seven players have achieved this milestone. Most recently, Belgian star and Illinois Fighting Illini alumnus Adrien Dumont de Chassart cracked this threshold at last week's Magnit Championship by reaching 1132 to be exact, assuring he'll play PGA Tour events next year--not necessarily signature events, but most events of up to full-field status. For the record, his sole win thus far came at the BMW Charity Pro-Am on his pro debut fresh off his college career.

Another golfer who's reached the threshold is Alejandro Tosti of Rosario, Argentina. Tosti went to Florida for college and has had a somewhat checkered career. As with ADDC, Tosti broke through on the KFT this year...after five years in the pros. Two weeks ago, he won the Pinnacle Bank Championship in Omaha to secure his PGA Tour card, and he finished the regular season with nine straight cuts made. Next year, he'll finally take his talents long-term to the big tour, where he made the cut in all three events he played there as well, highlighted by a T10 at the Mexico Open...or will he? That is the crux of this article.

Yesterday as of this writing, Tosti opened with a 67 at the Albertsons Boise Open, which is not only one of the four remaining founder KFT founder events from the 1990 Ben Hogan Tour (as it was known then) but serves as the opener to the KFT Finals. It goes without saying that it's a big event, as only the 156 leading available players according to the points list get to play it. (There was one Umcee involved--#43 Frankie Capan III of North Oaks, Minnesota--but he was expected to MC.) According to Golf Digest, though, the round featured several concerns about Tosti's behaviour, and he was forced to WD.

That's not all. Ryan French of Monday Q Info noted various "alleged incidents" on Tosti's part this year, which have combined to incur a suspension from the Korn Ferry Tour.

Monday Q Info on X: "Breaking: According to sources, Alejandro Tosti who is in points, on the KFT has been suspended after an incident yesterday. This comes after numerous alleged incidents throughout the season that have lead to him being suspended. Full story coming." / X (twitter.com)

Without regard to how many such incidents he perpetrated, Tosti did make unwanted headlines at the LECOM Suncoast Classic earlier this season by freeloading on a cart. The Model Local Rule in question states that golf carts may only be used to enforce stroke and distance penalties or in playoffs. However, Tosti got an unauthorized volunteer to drive him from the 18th green to the 1st tee box in violation of this rule. (He had started his round on the 10th tee.)

I can only assume Tosti is strong and fit, as well as of a sustainable weight. For comparison, I am strong and fit but grossly obese, and yet I have generally pulled my own bag rather than relying on motorized transport during golf rounds. That said, I will have to await more word from sources, including the aforementioned Monday Q Info, before suggesting a punishment for Tosti.

To be continued...

Edward the Scop

You know what they say...all toasters toast...TOSTI!!!