Scott Hend regains USPGA Tour Card at Q-School

BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2004 USPGA Tour Q-School - Final Stage | Wrap | 07 Dec 2004

Scott Hend has regained full playing privileges for the USPGA Tour by finishing in 26th position at the just completed USPGA Tour School and will gain one of the thirty-five 2005 USPGA Tour cards.

Hend, who finished in 136th position on the 2004 money list would have gained perhaps as many as twenty starts in any case, but the advantage he now has is that he can be more selective knowing he has guaranteed starts and his new status gives him preference over his non-exempt status.

David McKenzie, who narrowly missed gaining his card when finishing 23rd on the Nationwide Tour money list (the top twenty gained cards) will be disappointed once again, missing his card here by just one shot with a last round of 71.

Scott Gardiner also will be rueing his misfortune on day six, his last round of 77 seeing him slip from 22nd to 67th. The one bright spot in an otherwise gloomy day for Gardiner is that at least he will have a place to play in 2005 as he will have fully exempt status for the Nationwide Tour. This talented Gold Coast-based golfer has struggled for a place to play in recent years and the chance to play a tour full time in 2005 should see him develop quickly.

New Zealander Tim Wilkinson went the other way in round six, a last round 68 seeing him move to 67th place and also earn playing privileges for the Nationwide Tour.

Cameron Percy, Kim Felton and Ewan Porter all finished well back and will have only limited status on the Nationwide Tour in 2005 while Mathew Goggin withdrew after 72 holes. Goggin will still have full status on the Nationwide Tour in 2005 as a result of his 24th place finish on their 2004 money list.