Former Murray State golfer Patrick Newcomb fired a 6-under-par 66 Monday and survived a five-way playoff to qualify for his first PGA Tour event this week at The McGladrey Classic in Sea Island, Ga.
Newcomb shot the round of his life at Brunswick Country Club, but as he played the back nine, qualifying for his first PGA Tour event was the furthest thing from his mind.
Standing on the tee of the par-4 12th, a 490-yard beast of a hole, Newcomb was 1-over-par. However, a driver, 6-iron and 20 foot birdie putt later, Newcomb was set on a course that could change his life before it’s over.
Newcomb, who was an All-Ohio Valley Conference performer for the Racers from 2009-13, birdied six of the next eight holes, including the first hole of the playoff to get a spot in this weeks’ PGA Tour event.
The McGladrey Classic has a $5.6 million purse, a fact not lost on the native of Benton, Ky., who is competing this year as a professional for the first time.
“Everything for me could change this week and all my plans to this point,” Newcomb said as he admittedly was still trying to get his head around what he did today. “I’m in a PGA Tour event. This could change my life, or it could be nothing. I’m really playing well right now and
I’ve worked hard this year and it’s paying off. It’s been a fun week so far and hopefully I can stay hot and be in the mix on Sunday.”
Newcomb had a successful first summer as a pro on the Hopkins Tour which is primarily played in Georgia. He finished with a 70.9 scoring average and was 29th on the Hopkins Tour money list.
He will find out his tee time tomorrow as the PGA Tour plays The McGladrey Classic at Seaside Course in Sea Island, Ga. Newcomb will be looking to be among the top-70 and ties so he can make the cut and play on the weekend.
The Golf Channel will have live coverage Thursday beginning at 1 p.m. CT and Friday at 11 a.m.
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