Loar still on track at US Q-school

Edward Loar continued his consistent run when he fired his second straight one-under-par 71 in the US PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals in California on Thursday.

The 29-year-old American, who won two Asian Tour titles, shot two birdies against a lone bogey for a two-day total of two-under-par 142 in joint 15th place. Compatriot Rich Barcelo shot a 64 as he grabbed the second round lead on 135.

Korea’s Charlie Wi, the Maybank Malaysian Open winner, took a late stumble as he was even-par for the day three strokes behind Loar. Wi fired three birdies on the second, 10th and 12 holes before a dropped shot on the 14th. Despite a birdie in the following 15th hole, Wi struggled with a triple bogey on the 17th.

India’s Arjun Atwal slipped on the second day after a 74. With three bogeys on the front nine and a single birdie on the 15th hole, Atwal, who aims to secure his full playing rights on the US PGA Tour next year, dropped to tied 57th spot after a total of 146. Atwal has earned a conditional card when he was ranked 140th on the money list last season which allows him to compete in 15 events in 2007.

Yang Yong-eun of Korea also struggled when he shot a poor 76 that dropped him to tied 85th place. After a sluggish start, Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng improved when he was level-par on 151 in joint 120th position. Two strokes behind was South African Garth Mulroy who shot a disappointing 78 in tied 142nd spot.

Players who finish in the top-30 and ties will earn their US PGA Tour card.

In the Japan Tour Qualifying School Finals, Korea’s Choi Joon-woo was tied for the lead after a superb 66 in the second round. After a two-day total of eight-under-par 136, the Korean was three stokes ahead of Australian Richard Lee who shot a 74 in tied 12th place.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat carded a 69 in tied 16th spot on 140. New Zealander Eddie Lee dropped to joint 53rd position when he shot a 76 to a total of 143. In tied 83rd place was Japan’s Hirofumi Miyase who scored a 75 while Masanori Ushiyama failed to improve after 77 in joint 112th alongside Akinori Tani who carded his second consecutive 73. Fumihiro Kanamori shot a similar score in tied 136th place on 147.

The qualifiers is also used as the Stage One for the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

December 1, 2006