Charlotte, NC – December 2, 2010 – The final stage of the PGA TOUR’s annual Qualifying Tournament continued today outside of Orlando at Orange County National Golf Club, with 162 players competing on the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses in hopes of securing one of 25 PGA TOUR cards for the 2011 season. Of the 162 players in the field, 59 are current or former eGolf Professional Tour players. Leading the way is 2010 Forest Oaks Classic champion Ben Martin of Greenwood, SC. The former Clemson University star is in the midst of his first attempt at Q-School, and through 36 holes, it’s easy to think that the adjustment has not been overwhelming.

Martin opened final stage with seven-birdie round of 66 on the Panther Lake course to sit tied for second at the 18-hole mark. In Thursday’s second round on Crooked Cat, Martin picked up where he left off with two birdies and seven pars en route to an outward nine of 2-under 34. A par at the par-5 first (his 10^th) gave way to a hectic birdie-bogey-birdie-birdie-par-birdie-bogey stretch on Nos. 2-8 that moved the former amateur star to 4-under on his round and 9-under for the event. A par at the par-4 ninth would give Martin a 9-under 134 total through 36 holes and a second-place standing, trailing leader Chris Baryla by a single shot.

When Martin finished runner-up to An Byeong-hun at the 2009 U.S. Amateur Championship at venerable Southern Hills Country Club, he immediately became a recognizable face in the world of top-level golf. That finish would net the soft-spoken Southerner an exemption into the 2010 Masters Tournament and U.S. Open. Following his major championship run, Martin turned professional and immediately joined the eGolf Tour, in turn winning the Forest Oaks event in just his second start on tour. He would go on to earn $43,850 in just five starts as a member of the 2010 eGolf Professional Tour.

New Zealand’s Josh Geary is in a tie for fifth after 36 holes following rounds of 69-67—136 to reach 7-under on the week. The former eGolf Tour player has posted 12 birdies to go against five bogeys through two rounds, and is trailing Baryla by three shots with four rounds to play.

Geary, whose career best finish on the eGolf Tour was a T12 at the 2008 Tour Championship, knows that a good standing through two rounds is nice at Q-School, but that the last thing anyone wants to do is start thinking too far ahead.

"It's a long week and you have to break it down into small segments. You set your sights on about 15- to 20-under par to get a TOUR card,” Geary told the New Zealand PGA following day one. “I am breaking it down nine holes at a time and I have worked it out if I shoot two under for each nine holes then you will be 24 under and in pretty good shape."

Joining Geary at T5 is former eGolf Tour player Cameron Tringale of Mission Viejo, CA. Tringale, who was a PGA TOUR member in 2010, has put together rounds of 69-67—136 to move well inside the number after 36 holes. The former United States Walker Cup team member finished No. 179 on TOUR this past year and was pushed back to Q-School in order to regain his status. The top 125 players on the season-ending money list earned full status for the 2011 season, while Nos. 126-150 earned conditional status based on their number. All other players most likely returned to Q-School in order to better their number.

Through 36 holes, a total of 12 eGolf Tour players are inside the top 30 on the leaderboard. Included in that grouping are past champions Martin (2), Scott Weatherly (T17), Roberto Castro (T17), Tommy Biershenk (T30) and William McGirt (T30).

For complete results from the first round, please click here.
 

Orange County National Golf Club (Panther Lake & Crooked Cat)

Winter Garden, FL