Monday, Nov. 23, 2009

Golf: 'Two Gloves' advances in Q-school

Add two more aspiring golfers with South Carolina ties who are headed to the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, aka Q-school.

Bishopville native Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey, who earned a spot on the 2009 PGA Tour via last year's Q-school but did not earn enough money this year to retain exemption, shot a final-round 69 at TPC Craig Ranch in Dallas, tying for fourth in the field at 10-under-par.

Another past PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour player, former USC All-American Kyle Thompson, also shot a final-round 69 at Callaway Gardens Mountain View Course in Pine Mountain, Ga., finishing in a tie for 20th at 8-under. The top 20 and ties advanced to third stage.

Gainey, now living near Camden, and Greenville's Thompson bring to 13 the number of S.C. players headed to Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., for the 108-hole finals, Dec. 2-7. The top 25 and ties there will earn PGA Tour cards for 2010.

- Bob Gillespie

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