Rask Ties for 10th in Nebraska 1st Stage Tourney, Moves on to 2nd Stage of Q-School

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. -- Jared Wolfe, a 30-year-old who played on the Web.com Tour this year but didn't make enough money to retain his exempt status, took a first step toward getting it back this week by claiming medalist honors in the First Stage of Web.com Q-School.

Wolfe eagled the first hole of the first round, birdied the second hole and led wire to wire, opening with a 64 and closing with an even-par 71 on Saturday for a 72-hole total of 275 (9 under par). That was good for a three-stroke victory over Chip McDonald, Hayden Buckley and Brandon Crick. Dillon Rust posted the best score of the day with a 66, and that elevated him into sole possession of fifth place at 280. 

In 2017, Wolfe played on the PGA Tour LatinoAmerica. He won once and finished second on that tour's Order of Merit, which was how he got his place on the Web.com Tour in 2018. Playing in 21 Web.com events, he made 12 cuts and earned $37,073. That put him at No. 114 on the money list. Only the top 75 keep their fully exempt status. (Although he didin't make a lot of money, Wolfe's driving distance stats were very impressive. He averaged 318.0 yards per drive, which ranked 14th on what is basically the PGA Tour's highest minor league.)  

Clayton Rask, the former University of Minnesota star, also advanced to the Second Stage, which will begin at various sites Oct. 30. Scoring was difficult at the Arbor Links course, and Rask's 70 in the second round was the best score of the day. The 31-year-old former Minnesota State Open champion -- and winner of a record four Minnesota Golf Champions titles (he shares the record with Don Berry) -- closed with a 70 for a 284. That earned him a tie for 10th.

The top 21 and ties advanced, which worked out to 24 players. There was a four-way tie for 21st at 288. 

Among those who missed was another former Gopher, Derek Chang, who wound up with a 297. Andrew McCain, who won the Minnesota State Open for the second time this summer, started off with a 72 in Nebraska but then shot 83 on Day 2 and withdrew.   

The goal for anyone in Q-School is to make the Final Stage, which will be played Dec. 6-9 in Chandler, Ariz. Anyone who gets that far will have partially exempt status on the Web.com next year. The medalist there will be fully exempt for the entire 2018 season.


WEB.COM TOUR Q-SCHOOL

First Stage

Nebraska City, Neb.

At Arbor Links

Oct. 2-5

Par 71

The top 21 finishers & ties advance to the Second Stage of Q-School at various sites, beginning Oct. 30

1. Jared Wolfe, Ponte Verde Beach, Fla.      64-72-68-71--275

T2. Chip McDaniel, Richmond, Va.               71-71-69-67--278

T2. Hayden Buckley, Belden, Mississippi      68-73-71-66--278

T2. Brandon Crick, McCook, Neb.                 68-71-69-70--278

T10. Clayton Rask, Elk River                         68-70-75-71--284

What it took: 288 (4-way tie for 21st) 

Derek Chang, Dallas                                    70-76-75-76--297

WD Andrew McCain, Knoxville, Tenn.       72-83--155


Garland, Texas

At Firewheel at Garland Bridges -- Masters/Champion Course

Sept. 25-17

Par 71

The top 22 finishers & ties advance

1. Franklin Corpening, Aledo, Texas                66-66-67-65--264

T2. Brandon Thompson, England                    64-70-62-69--265

T2. Andrew Lister, College Station, Texas       64-71-63-67--265

T21. Nick Heinen, Edmond, Okla.                 70-66-72-65--273

What it took: 273 (4-way tie for 21st)


Maricopa, Ariz.

At Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club

Sept. 25-28

Par 72

The top 21 finishers & ties advance

T1. Norman Xiong, Las Vegas                         67-69-70-66--272

T1. Jamie Sadlowski, Canada                         65-68-70-69--272

T1. Yanik Paul, Boulder, Colo.                         66-66-67-73--272

What it took: 279 (2-way tie for 20th) 

T49. Robert Bell, Pierz                                 72-75-72-69--288