Canadian Q School

 
            Yesterday I advanced through Qualifying School for PGA Tour Canada.  I played well this week with rounds of 70, 64, 69, 68 for a 17-under total and a second-place finish in a field of 132.  First place gained full status on this summertime (13-event Tour) but the top five (which includes me) is guaranteed entry into the first eight tournaments and, consequently, likely I’ll get in the other five as well.  Those who finished sixth through sixteenth gained entry into the first four events and conditional status went to ten or so other players.

            My technique held up all week, and I executed and thought well.  The first day actually may have been my best, but I couldn’t get putts to drop.  Six of them lipped out.  And I continued executing well the second day, with the only difference being that just about every putt I looked at went in the hole.  Really, there’s no way to finish eight under in one round unless you’re executing well and catching some breaks and I was doing both. 

            I followed up two good ball-striking rounds with a third round where I missed some greens and had to scramble quite a bit, but I did so effectively.  I thought my three under score was getting a lot out of what I did.

            The first nine of the final round was like the third round with some missed approach shots where I was able to scramble for par, but I got myself going again on the back nine.  I made birdie on 10 and I dropped a couple of tough putts for birdies on 15 and 16 and then I knocked my approach next to the hole for birdie on 17.  I had a 20-footer for birdie on 18 to tie for the lead but it rolled over the edge of the hole.

            Overall, though, it was a very good week with only two bogeys and lots of consistent play.  It was great seeing the ball go where I wanted and being in contention.   
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            I’ll play the Challenge Tour event this week in Portugal and, hopefully, Spain next week.