Final Leaderboard (Bold denotes Canadian):
Robby Shelton* – 67-68-68-70 (-15)
Jhared Hack – 71-69-66-67 (-15)
Jordan Niebrugge – 67-63-68-76 (-14)
Joey Petronio – 67-66-69-72 (-14)
Daniel Mazziotta – 73-62-69-60 (-14)
Greyson Sigg (a) – 71-67-67-69 (-14)
* = prevailed in a sudden death playoff
THE RECAP: Wilmer, Alabama’s Robby Shelton shot a 2-under 70 on Friday at Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club, then prevailed in a playoff over Lake Mary, Florida’s Jhared Hack to earn medalist honours at the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada’s USA East #1 Q-School.
The 21-year former University of Alabama star posted 15-under to match Hack’s clubhouse, then birdied the par-4 10th hole in the third hole of sudden death to secure the win and exempt status on the Mackenzie Tour for 2017.
“I’m just excited to win this. It means a lot. I haven’t been playing great, but a win’s a win,” said Shelton, who will play on a sponsor exemption at the PGA TOUR’s Valero Texas Open next week, but said he’s relieved to have a guaranteed place to play this season.
“I got into Valero next week, but it’s not fun bouncing around back and forth. That’s all I’ve been waiting for, just a schedule and a place to know I can play,” said Shelton.
FINAL SCORES FOR MACKENZIE TOUR STATUS: After 72 holes this week, every player inside the top 40 and ties earned Mackenzie Tour status for 2017. Below is a breakdown of the cut-offs for status:
1st (Exempt for 2017 season): -15/T1
5th (Exempt for first 8 events, subject to 2nd reshuffle): -14/T3*
* = (Jordan Niebrugge, Daniel Mazziotta and Greyson Sigg prevailed in a 4-for-3 playoff)
16th (Exempt for first 4 events, subject to 1st reshuffle): -8/T14*
* = (Lee McCoy, Austin Quick and Tadd Fujikawa prevailed in a 6-for-3 playoff)
40th (Conditional status): -3/T36
THEY SAID IT:
“My confidence is up, I’m playing well, and I just gotta go there and play good golf and see what happens. It’s a stress reliever to know I’ve got a set schedule. I’m glad I have a place to play and I’m looking forward to heading up there.” – Greyson Sigg on concluding his collegiate career with the University of Georgia at the upcoming SEC Championships, NCAA Regionals and NCAA Championships, as well as his upcoming professional career.
“I love the people up in Canada. It makes for a great experience for the players, so I’m excited to get back up there, especially Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna. I’m looking forward to getting back up there this spring.” – 2016 Mackenzie Tour member Taylor Hancock on returning to Canada in 2017.
PLAYER NOTES:
Below are notes on the top 16 players from this week’s Q-School:
ROBBY SHELTON: 21-year old turned pro last June after a successful career at the University of Alabama, where he won seven times and won the Phil Mickelson Award as Freshman of the Year in 2014. Was named a 1st team NCAA All-American three times at Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2014. Finished T3 at the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship as an amateur in 2015.
JHARED HACK: UCF graduate owns 54 professional victories on various mini-tours. Played in 35 Web.com Tour events in 2015-16, recording three top-25s. Owns six top-10s on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.
JORDAN NIEBRUGGE: Four-time NCAA All-American at Oklahoma State finished T6 as an amateur at the 2015 Open Championship at St. Andrews. Won the 2013 U.S. Amateur Public Links and played in the Masters in 2014.
JOEY PETRONIO: 23-year old University of North Florida grad earned three individual victories while playing for the Ospreys and was teammates with 2016 Mackenzie Tour member Taylor Hancock.
DANIEL MAZZIOTTA: Two-time winner on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, claiming victory at the 2014 Mundo Maya Open and 2015 Shell Championship.
GREYSON SIGG (a): Current University of Georgia Senior was named a 3rd team NCAA All-American and helped Georgia to the SEC Championship in 2016.
BRANT PEAPER: 23-year old played college golf at Indiana University, where he was named an All-Big 10 1st team member in 2013 and won twice individually. Made five cuts in 21 starts on the Mackenzie Tour in 2014 and 2015.
KYLE PETERMAN: Western Illinois grad made three starts on the Mackenzie Tour in 2016 and qualified for the 2009 U.S. Open.
CHRIS BAKER: Austin Peay State graduate owns one pro win on the West Florida Pro Tour and will have Mackenzie Tour status for the first time.
MARK BLAKEFIELD: University of Kentucky grad made three starts on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica in 2016 and will have Mackenzie Tour status for the first time.
J.C. HORNE: Played collegiate golf at the University of North Florida and has spent most of his professional career on the West Florida Golf Tour and the Florida Professional Golf Tour.
TAYLOR HANCOCK: Played collegiate golf at the University of North Florida. Was solo third through 36 holes at the 2016 Freedom 55 Financial Open and finished T12, one of 11 starts on the Mackenzie Tour in 2016. Finished 79th on the Order of Merit.
GRADY BRAME, JR: Southeastern Louisiana University grad won the 2014 and 2015 Louisiana State Amateur.
TADD FUJIKAWA: Was the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open in 2006 at 15 years old. Has made the cut three times at the PGA TOUR’s Sony Open in Hawaii, including a T20 in 2007.
LEE MCCOY: Former 1st team NCAA All-American at the University of Georgia. Finished solo fourth as an amateur at the 2016 Valspar Championship on the PGA TOUR.
AUSTIN QUICK: Arizona State grad played on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica the last two seasons, making nine cuts in 23 starts and finishing third at the 2016 Abierto Mexicano de Golf.
Miscellaneous notes:
- Weather: 29 degrees Celsius (feels like 32), cloudy winds 14 km/h gusting to 21 km/h.
- 2009 U.S. Amateur runner-up John Kelly earned conditional status, finishing T14 before losing in a 3-for-6 playoff.
- Tyler Sluman, nephew of six-time PGA TOUR winner Jeff Sluman, earned conditional status at T36.
- Jhared Hack won the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Qualifying Tournament at Sun ‘N Lake in 2013.
- Click here for scores.
