Tensions and emotions ran high on Friday in the final round at Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club in Plantation, Florida (near Fort Lauderdale), one of the six sites around the country holding the second stage of the PGA Tour qualifying tournament, known fondly as “Q-school.”

There’s always an enormous amount of pressure for players trying to advance to finals, but this year there seems to be even more than usual. Why? The reply was simple: “It’s the last year” or “It’s the last chance.” (Or as I like to call it: “Q-school deathwatch.”) (continue reading…)

Advantage, Harrington.

First-round leader Padraig Harrington is on the course and has set about the difficult business of following a spectacular round with a respectable one.

One-under-par through five holes, he’s four clear of five players, including former world No1 Luke Donald, Puerto Rico Open winner George McNeill and Will Claxton, who’s yet to tee off. (continue reading…)

Eye on No. 1

The marquee group of young guns (God, I really hate that term) Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley and Kyle Stanley teed off at 7:30am on Thursday morning with the winds relatively calm at PGA National. McIlroy and Bradley took advantage of the ideal scoring conditions, posting four-under 66 and three-under 67, respectively. Meanwhile, Stanley didn’t have his best, to say the least, and chopped his way in for a five-over 75.

Rory, who fell victim to the Bear Trap in the second round last year, is currently tied for second. He’s had his eye set on reaching No. 1 in the world rankings and like last week, he has the chance to topple Luke Donald from the throne with a win. (continue reading…)