PGA Tour Q-school hands out cards
WEST PALM BEACH (AP) – Troy Merritt has never played in a PGA Tour event. That’s about to change.
Even after making double-bogey on the final hole, Merritt shot a 3-under 69 Monday to win the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, finishing the six-round event at 22 under and one shot ahead of tour veteran Jeff Maggert.
“Probably the most satisfying double-bogey I’ve ever made,” Merritt said.
Matt Jones (66) was third at 19 under, one shot ahead of Martin Flores (65) in the event where the top 25 finishers earned cards on the PGA Tour for 2010. Rickie Fowler made it comfortably, his final-round 70 leaving him tied for 15th.
Merritt earned $50,000 for medalist honors. There was no formal ceremony, just a long line of relatives and well-wishers getting autographs and photos taken.
“The trophy is to get to play with the big boys next year,” Merritt said.
Five players began the final round outside the magical top-25 barrier and rallied to earn cards. David Lutterus shot the round of the day, an 8-under 64 to jump from tied for 28th to tied for eighth. Shane Bertsch made a bigger leap, a 65 getting him from 50th to 15th.
Cameron Tringale moved 23 spots up to 19th, and Spencer Levin and Brent Delahoussaye also made final-round jumps to be among the 25 Q-school graduates. Chris Riley, a 2004 Ryder Cup player for the U.S., also advanced.
Among the notables who did not qualify out of Q-school were major champions David Duval, Todd Hamilton and Shaun Micheel.
The only score that mattered Monday was 9 under, the line between joining the PGA or Nationwide tours for 2010. Ken Duke missed a long birdie try on his final hole, missing by a shot. Two-time PGA Tour winner Tom Pernice Jr. drove into the water on the 18th, made double bogey and fell one shot shy.