(Photo courtesy of Luke Swilor)
Beginning next Monday on the eve of his first stage, Canadian Tour player Luke Swilor will contribute his daily observations as he starts the juggernaut known as the PGA Tour Q (Qualifying) School.
John Feinstein, author of Tales from Q School, refers to it as the fifth major. Indeed it is. In fact, you have to qualify in the “fifth” major to get your PGA Tour card in hopes that someday you’ll have the chance to play in the other four majors.
A hearty thanks to Luke for agreeing to chronicle his “Quest for the Card” here.
Two Stages Plus Finals
I didn’t exaggerate when I called it a juggernaut. To get your card, you have to survive two stages and a six-round (108 holes) finals tournament. Some also have to make it through a pre-qualifier. Hundreds enter Q School. Only 40 get PGA Tour cards.
As an exempt Canadian Tour player, Luke bypassed the pre-qualifier. His first stage will be at Dayton Valley Country Club next Tuesday through Friday (October 23-26).
“I went there last year, and the course fits my game,” Luke said in an email. “It’s similar conditions to Salt Lake.”
A University of Utah grad, Luke hails from Sandy, Utah. Last year Luke missed getting to the second stage by a single shot. He carded his best score in the final round, a 69.
This year’s second stage of Q School will take place at six locations on November 14-17. The finals are in Winter Gardens, Florida, on November 28 through December 3.
But first stage first. That’s the way Luke will be playing it. Follow him here, beginning Monday.
More Luke Swilor:
My May interview with Luke
Luke on the Canadian Tour
His blog, Luke Swilor’s Road to the Tour
The Armchair Golfer
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