PGA Tour Q-School: Inside the numbers

Ty Tryon at PGA Tour Q-School in 2001/provided by McClatchy News-Service

PGA Tour Q-School's second stage wrapped up across six venues Saturday, with seven players, who have a some sort of a connection to Manatee County, advancing to the final stage at Orange County National's Crooked Cat and Panther courses Dec. 1-6.

Today's recap takes a magnifying glass approach to see just how they continued the quest for a PGA Tour card.

There's also a glimpse into how a couple other players' dreams vanished when they flamed out in the final round of their qualifying site.

(Note: all have played at least one West Florida Golf Tour event except Tyler Leon, Ty Tryon, David Lutterus and Jason Kokrak)

Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas (19 players and ties advanced; cut: 2-over, 290)

Former Saint Stephen's standout Tyler Leon shot 5-under over his last 54 holes, including birdies on his last two holes, to tie for 11th and secure a final stage berth.

Redstone's 73.19 scoring average plagued most of the field, but Leon grinded through with 13 birdies to offset eight bogeys and two doubles.

TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas (20 players and ties advanced; cut: 6-under, 282)

Two West Florida Golf Tour players advanced from the other Texas venue. Former Lakewood Ranch standout Seath Lauer shot a final-round 71, while former U.S. Open qualifier Travis Hampshire carded a 69 on the last day to advance.

Lauer was buoyed by a strong final nine that included birdies on Nos. 10, 11 and 18.

Hampshire finished off the tournament with his second sub-70 round. All four of his rounds were under par.

Meanwhile, Australian David Lutterus, who is listed from Bradenton, finished in a tie for second.

Lutterus stormed out to the 36-hole lead after posting 68-64. He followed that up with 70-71 to earn entry into the next phase.

Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, Calif. (20 players and ties advanced; 2-over, 290)

The first California venue played the hardest with a 73.95 scoring average.

Yet, Michael Sims and Jason Kokrak made it through.

Sims eked his way in following back-to-back 74s. He grabbed one of the last spots with a birdie on No. 18 on the last day.

Kokrak, who won an eGolf Professional Tour event earlier this year while listed from Bradenton Beach, opened strong with a 67. His worst round came with a 73 in the final round, but the long-hitter had done enough to take a tie for sixth.

Hombre Golf Club in Panama City (19 players and ties advanced; even par, 284)

No area players made it through with Michael Schachner having a decent chance heading into the final round. However, he flamed out with an 81 that took him to a tie for 54th.

Scachner's round got off to a horrendous start. Playing the back nine to begin the last round, Schachner opened with a triple-bogey on No. 10.

He then bogeyed seven more holes, including his last four, to finish the final round without a birdie.

Sarasota's Brian Ward was the closest, jumping up to 4-over par following a final-round 69.

Joey Lamielle, the WFGT's Order of Merit leader, also played his best on the last day.

But his 70 was only good to finish at 7-over par, well behind the last qualifying positions.

The lone par-71 site played over par with a 72.44 scoring average for the tourney.

Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville (19 players and ties advanced; 6-under par, 282)

Ty Tryon was the only player with a connection to the county to advance.

The former wunderkind, who turned pro at the early age of 16 in 2001, has gone through all the heartache since leaving IMG Academies for the professional life.

Tryon has a chance to gain entry on the PGA Tour after four consistent scores (70-69-72-71) in Brooksville.

Tryon bogeyed two of his last four holes, but a par on No. 18 gave him a tie for 13th - the last qualifying spot as seven players tied at 6-under par.

Lakeland's Travis Perkins had a chance to advance, but instead of shooting under par on the last day, he posted a 74.

That put him in a tie for 30th and ended his quest for a PGA Tour card for 2010.

The players getting to the final stage all get at least conditional status on the Nationwide Tour, but the real prize is full-time status as a PGA Tour member - the elite professional golf tour in the world.

Check back here prior to the final stage (Dec. 1-6) for tee times, and catch the action on The Golf Channel beginning with round four coverage.