Round 2 is in the books, so who were the big names to make it inot top 20 and ties threshold and who missed out from the six regional Round 2 qualifying sites?
The PGA Tour may have a revamped schedule and the FedEx Cup, but in terms of sheer pressure no event can match the grind that is the PGA Tour's Qualifying School. Whehter it is the burgeoning professional golfer anxious to make the final step in his career development, or the aging PGA Tour veteran who is fighting for his Tour Card, Q School takes no prisoners and preys upon the young and old alike. This year, the second stage was played at six venues around the country. Those who advanced are rewarded with a five round marathon at Orange County National Golf Club in Florida to play golf in the dead of winter all in hopes of finishing in the top 25 and securing their playing privileges for the next year.
Lake Jovita Country Club
Located in Dade City, Florida and playing 7100 yards the cut line at Lake Jovita was -6. Bubba Dickerson and Scott Parel shared medalist honors, both scoring 16 under par. PGA Tour veterans Jim McGovern (-15), Carlos Franco (-12), and Tommy Tolles (-9) all made the cut to advance. Among the notables who did not make the cut were Arjun Atwal (-5) who missed the cut by just one stroke while Tripp Isenhour (-4) missed by two.
Hombre Golf Club
Panama City, Florida's qualifying site boasted tougher conditions, the final cut line was +5. However, someone neglected to tell Richard Johnson who finished at -16, eleven strokes clear of his nearest competitor. Spencer Levin (+2), Spike McRoy (+4), and Greg Owen (+5) all finished inside the cut.
TPC Craig Ranch
Just outside of Dallas, Texas TPC Craig Ranch played at par 71 and just over 7400 yards. The final cut for the top 20 players was -1. Cameron Percy was the medalist with a four round total of 275 (-9). Also advancing was 2007 U.S. Amateur Champion Colt Knost (-5) who came in second. Tag Ridings (-3), Duffy Waldorf (-2), Notah Begay III (-1), Hunter Haas (-1), and Scott Gutschewski (E) all made it inside the cut line. Another notable score was Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey who made the cut at two under par. Gainey first gained fame on Golf Channel's Big Break series and reaffirmed his talent qualifying for the Wachovia Championship last year. Gainey's counterpart Anthony Rodriguez (+4) from Big Break VII was among the notables who missed the cut.
Woodlands Tournament Course
The fourth qualifying site just north of Houston, TX featured a shorter course than many other qualifying sites playing at just over 7000 yards, but difficult conditions hurt scoring with the cut line coming in at -2. Mark Walker from Hurst, TX earned medalist honors finishing at -10. Several former PGA Tour players including Mark Brooks (-1), Len Mattice (+7), Neal Lancaster (+1), and Glen Day (+6) all failed to make the cut.
Royal Dunes Golf Club
Maricopa Arizona's Royal Dunes Golf Club played at almost 7500 yards but scoring was among the best of any of the qualifying venues. The final cut number was -10 for the 20 players who made the cut. Kevin Streelman and Chris Kirk shared medalist honors at -17. Ricky Barnes was the biggest name to miss the cut, his bogey on the 18th hole brought his four round total to -9, placing him just one stroke away from advancing. Bryce Molder (-6), Roger Tambellini (-3), and Rich Barcelo (-9) were among the victims of the low scoring course.
Oak Valley Golf Club
Beaumont, California's Oak Valley Golf Club played at just over 7000 yards and also featured very low scoring with the cut line coming at -7. Y.E. Yang was the medalist with a final score of -19. Chris Riley (-8) and Steve Pate (-8) were among the players who made it through California's lone Q School venue. T.C. Chen, the infamous double chip victim at the 1985 U.S. Open withdrew after rounds of 80 and 81.
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