John Ellis all but ensured he’d move on from Stage One of the
PGA Tour’s Qualifying Tournament after the Live Oak graduate
compiled a 65 on Thursday at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club in
Hollister.
HOLLISTER
John Ellis all but ensured he’d move on from Stage One of the PGA Tour’s Qualifying Tournament after the Live Oak graduate compiled a 65 on Thursday at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister.
The 65, which was the lowest recorded score during Thursday’s round, positions Ellis into a five-way tie for third place. Through three rounds, Ellis has carded an 8-under 208 (71-72-65).
Barrett Jarosch strengthened his grip on first place after he shot his second straight 66. The Canadian golfer currently sits at 12-under, while Travis Bertoni of Paso Robles sits in second place at 9-under.
Only the top 23 qualifying positions, including ties, will advance to Stage Two of the Qualifying Tournament, also known as Q-School.
Stage One at San Juan Oaks will conclude on Friday.
Ellis, who attended Gavilan College, qualified to the second stage last year. He earned a first-stage exemption after winning the Order of Merit on the Canadian Tour Championship, but fell nine strokes short of advancing to the third and final stage.
A San Jose resident, Ellis began Thursday on the first hole, and proceeded to birdie four of his first five holes. Ellis had eight birdies on the day before bogeying 18.
Ellis bogeyed four holes and birdied four holes to finish with an even par on Wednesday, while he began Tuesday’s round with three straight birdies before bogeying the 15th hole. Ellis rebounded with a birdie on 16, however.
San Juan Oaks has served as a PGA Tour Stage One qualifying site since 2001. Q-School is a three-stage event where golfers from around the world compete in order to earn their PGA Tour card. This year’s Q-School began with more than 900 golfers, and only 25 will be rewarded with a PGA Tour card.
The third and final stage is scheduled to be held at the Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., from Dec. 2-7.
