News
The final shot to make money
This week's Children's Miracle Network Classic marks the final PGA Tour event of the year and last chance for players to secure their full cards for 2011 by finishing among the top 125 on the money list. Troy Matteson, already exempt because of a win last season, is No. 125 by about $13,000 over Briny Baird. Two others spent last week at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai. Heath Slocum is No. 30 by $132 over Ryan Moore. That's significant because the top 30 get into next year's Masters (though Moore already is eligible). And Sweden's Richard Johnson sits at No. 131.
Q-School comes to Brooksville
Brooksville's Southern Hills Plantation will host a second-stage PGA Tour qualifying tournament on Nov. 17-20. There are 78 players in the field, and the number who advance to the final stage will be determined by the number of players entered in the four other second-round events. Notable players at Southern Hills include former Tour members: Eric Axley, David Branshaw, Daniel Chopra, Marco Dawson, Chris DiMarco, Matt Every, Robert Gamez, Bob Heintz, Frank Lickliter, Ty Tryon and Grant Waite. Final stage qualifying is Dec. 1-6 at Orange County National in Winter Garden.
Furyk already has one award
The PGA Tour is starting to compile its ballots for player of the year. Jim Furyk is sure to be a candidate after his three-win season and FedEx Cup title. He already has wrapped up one such award. The PGA of America honor is based on points, which Furyk has clinched with 60. He received 10 points for his wins at the Transitions Championship (in Palm Harbor), Hilton Head and Tour Championship, 18 points for being second on the money list and 12 points for being fifth in the adjusting scoring average. Matt Kuchar, who had one victory, won the money title and Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average. Phil Mickelson was the only PGA Tour member to win a major, but he didn't win anything else. Furyk and Kuchar share a perk that is often overlooked. Any PGA Tour player who wins the money title or FedEx Cup receives a five-year exemption on the tour.
Local tourney to help troops
TPC Tampa Bay will host a Birdies for the Brave tournament on Nov. 20-21 to benefit U.S. troops and their families. Foursomes cost $5,000, and some PGA Tour and Champions Tour players are expected to attend, including Vijay Singh, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Andy Bean. For information, go to b4btampabay.org.
This week on Tour
PGA: Children's Miracle Network Classic, Walt Disney Magnolia and Palm Courses, Lake Buena Vista. TV: Today-Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Golf Channel.
LPGA: Lorena Ochoa Invitational, Guadalajara Country Club, Guadalajara, Mexico. TV: Today-Sunday, 4-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel.
PGA Europe: Singapore Open, Sentosa Golf Club. TV: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Golf Channel.
PGA Tour Australia: Australian Masters, through Saturday, Victoria Golf Club, Melbourne. TV: Through Saturday, 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m., Golf Channel.
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