Q-School Play Suspended

It’s the time of the year where the hockey stick’s become golf clubs and several of the courses in Canada are in play from dawn to dusk.

It’s the time where today’s youth are playing in a man’s world and trying to become the next Jack Nicklaus and such is the case with Toronto’s Albin Choi and Uniontown (Ohio) Ross Beal shared the lead midway through the third round of PGA TOUR Canada’s Florida Qualifying Tournament before play was suspended due to weather conditions.

Choi, a 22-year old member of Golf Canada’s Young Pro Team, carded a bogey-free 32 on his first nine holes, while Beal, a 30-year old who lives in Orlando, posted an eagle and a birdie on his front nine, both reaching 14-under par through 45 holes.

The pair were atop a jumbled leader board with 10 others players within three strokes of the lead.

With thunderstorms moving into the Orlando area in the late afternoon, play was suspended at 5:11 p.m. and later called for the day.

Play will resume Friday (April 17^th) with players in position at 7:45am, with the fourth round beginning at 8:45 am.

“It really helped getting off to three birdies early and hitting some really good shots,” said Choi, who opened with three consecutive birdies. “It was nice to see some putts fall and get the confidence going early on.

The course is going to be soft tomorrow morning after the rain so I’m looking forward to some of the get-able scoring holes out there.”

Beal told the media “I’m just trying to continue what I’m doing and keep the good play going into Friday taking an optimistic approach to resume his third round.

Never short of words he continued “I feel like I lucked out being able to come back and finish in perfect conditions tomorrow morning and I’m just hoping to keep giving myself opportunities to make birdies.”

One stroke behind Beal and Choi were Spence Fulford and Cody Martin, both of whom made a move with a 5-under 31 on their first nine holes to reach 13-under.

CARD WATCH

The medalist this week will earn exempt status on PGA TOUR Canada for 2015.

Finishers 2-18 will be exempt through the first six events and subject to the re-shuffle, with the rest of the top 40 (plus ties) earning conditional status.

The cut-off for the top 18 through the first round was at 9-under, with the cut-off for the top 40 at 6-under.

NUMBERS YOU NEED TO KNOW

5: Shots separating first place and a tie for 15^th, representing the top 18 through 45 holes.

3: Shots separating a tie for 15^th (9-under) and a tie for 35^th (6-under), the current cut lines for cards.

If necessary, playoffs will be used to determine the medalist and the top-18.

Thanks to Golf Canada for the info.

In watching the recent Masters  on the tube, it’s great to Jordan Spieth see a young 21 year old grab the lime-light for the entire event pulling off an impressive -18 Under.

One has to ask if the golfing world will continue to take a back-seat due to the down-fall of “Tiger” who has been struggling for the past couple of years.

It would be great to see him rebound and pull off an impressive win in at least one Major.

Impressive Stats:

28 – Most Birdies in One Tournament

-18 Tied for Lowest 72-Hole Score

-16 Lowest 54 Hole Score

-14 Lowest 36 Hole Score

Also the first Wire to Wire Champion since 1976.