First Round Leaderboard:
Edward Figueroa – 65 (-7)
Sean Dale – 67(-5)
Charlie Harrison – 67 (5)
Christopher Ward – 67 (-5)
EDWARD FIGUEROA TAKES FIRST ROUND LEAD AT Q-SCHOOL
THE RECAP: Naples, Florida’s Edward Figueroa shot a 7-under 65 on Tuesday at PGA Golf Club’s Wannamaker Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida to take the first round lead at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s USA East #2 Q-School.
The 23-year old, who successfully earned Mackenzie Tour status at Q-School in each of the past two seasons, was bogey-free and led by two strokes after day one.
“I was in control of things and missed a few putts, but I’m not going to complain. I was hitting it well and took advantage of some of the calm conditions earlier in the morning,” said Figueroa, who teed off in the day’s second group off the 10th tee.
Figueroa opened with a sparkling 6-under 30 for his first nine holes and was one of only two players in the field to go without a bogey on Tuesday. Still, the former Florida Gulf Coast University student refused to get too far ahead of himself with three rounds to go.
“One round doesn’t really make a difference, and you still have to play three more. I’m going to focus on each round as it comes,” said Figueroa.
Two shots behind Figueroa were Jacksonville, Florida’s Sean Dale, Atlanta, Georgia’s Charlie Harrison and Lubbock, Texas’ Chris Ward.
CURRENT SCORES FOR MACKENZIE TOUR STATUS: After 72 holes this week, every player inside the top 40 and ties will earn Mackenzie Tour status for 2017. Below is a breakdown of where the cut-offs stand:
1st (Exempt for 2017 season): -7/1st
5th (Exempt for first 8 events, subject to 2nd reshuffle): -4/T5
16th (Exempt for first 4 events, subject to 1st reshuffle): -2/T11
40th (Conditional status): +1/T34
BACKGROUND ON THE LEADER: At just 23 years old, Figueroa has already accumulated plenty of experience as a pro. In addition to 14 starts on the Mackenzie Tour over the past two seasons, the Puerto Rican national has played in the PGA TOUR’s Puerto Rico Open five times and made 12 starts on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.
Now, the former Florida Gulf Coast University student hopes to start turning that experience into success thanks to lessons he’s learned over the past few years.
“For the most part, just watching so many different games, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve learned how to work the ball both ways. It’s not always pretty; there’s a lot of ups and downs in professional golf, so I’m just trying to keep level for the most part,” said Figueroa.
Now based out of Mediterra Golf Club in Naples, Florida, Figueroa said he’s playing with an advantage this week thanks to familiarity with fast, firm Bermuda greens like the ones at PGA Golf Club.
“I feel like a lot of guys aren’t comfortable on fast Bermuda greens. I’ve played a lot on these types of courses, so I’m pretty comfortable,” said Figueroa.
THEY SAID IT:
“It was tough. I had seven months before I could get back practicing, and I was doing rehab Monday through Friday up until the doctor said I was allowed to start swinging it again. It was tough sitting on the sidelines, but I’m happy to be healthy.” – Three-time NCAA All-American Sean Dale, who suffered a torn labrum in his shoulder last year and missed most of the season, on returning from injury to compete at Q-School.
MORE PLAYER NOTES:
Sean Dale
27-year old Sean Dale played college golf at the University of North Florida and was named an NCAA All-American three times. He held Mackenzie Tour status in 2014 and 2016 but was de-railed by injuries, including a torn labrum in his shoulder in 2016. He finished T11 at the 2016 Bayview Place Cardtronics Open presented by Times Colonist thanks to a final round 64.
Charlie Harrison
26-year old Charlie Harrison played college golf at Wake Forest University and held Mackenzie Tour status in 2017, when he finished 103rd on the Order of Merit and his best finish was a T15 at the Cape Breton Open.
Christopher Ward
29-year old Christopher Ward played college golf at Texas Tech University, where he won the 2010 Big 12 Championship as an individual. Ward also won the 2010 Texas State Amateur and the 2013 Texas State Open, chipping in for eagle on the final hole to win.
Miscellaneous notes:
- Weather: 28 degrees Celsius (feels like 34), partly cloudy, winds 12 km/h gusting to 19 km/h.
- Kitchener, Ontario’s Chris Hemmerich was the low Canadian after day one with a 2-under 70 (T11). Hemmerich is a former member of Golf Canada’s National Amateur Team.
- Hunter Stewart, a 1st team NCAA All-American at Vanderbilt in 2016, opened with a 2-under 70.
- Two-time World Long Drive Champion Jamie Sadlowski opened with an even-par 72.
- Canadians in position to earn status: Chris Hemmerich (-2/T8), Elliott Whitley (E/T24), Jamie Sadlowski (E/T24).
- Click here for scores.
