Morgan Hill native John Ellis recorded a 1-over 289
(72-69-74-74) at the second stage of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying
Tournament last week in Kingwood, Texas, and, as a result, missed
the third-stage cut by five strokes
KINGWOOD, TEXAS — Morgan Hill native John Ellis recorded a 1-over 289 (72-69-74-74) at the second stage of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying Tournament last week in Kingwood, Texas, and, as a result, missed the third-stage cut by five strokes.
This was Ellis’ fourth trip to the second stage of the Qualifying Tournament, also known as Q School, a three-stage event where golfers from around the world compete to earn their PGA Tour card.
Playing at the Deerwood Golf Club for the second straight year — he missed the third-stage cut by nine strokes during last year’s event — Ellis had a strong chance of advancing to the third and final stage of Q-School after he carded a 3-under 69 during Thursday’s second round.
Coupled with his even 72 from Wednesday’s first round, Ellis sat just one stroke out of a top-19 qualifying spot with two rounds to play.
But Friday and Saturday led to Ellis’ undoing. The Live Oak graduate and Gavilan College alum recorded matching scores of 2-over 74 during the third and fourth round, and he finished tied for 43rd place out of 70 golfers.
Saturday’s round saw Ellis bogey holes 1, 4 and 5. Although he rebounded to birdie 7, 9 and 14, which brought Ellis back to even, the San Jose resident bogeyed 16 and 17 to finish 2-over on the day.
The top-19 cut was set at 4-under, while Emmett Turner of Augusta, Ga., led the second-stage field in Kingwood with a 15-under 273.
This year the third stage will be held at the Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., from Dec. 2-7.
Ellis qualified to the second stage after he carded an 11-under 277 (71-72-65-69) earlier this month at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister, a stage-one site.
