Grant squeaks into Second Stage: "Nine three putts will not get it done"
Stephen Grant. Getty Images
It wasn't pretty — especially on the greens — but Stephen Grant was just pleased he got through to next month's Second Stage of the Web.com Tour's Q-School in Florida. His problem now is deciding between the Second Stages on both sides of the pond.
The 39-year old started well with a 68 in West Palm Beach but rounds of 73 and 70 left him vulnerable heading in the final round and a closing, one over 73 saw him make the top 25 and ties who progressed from The Breakers Rees Jones Course on the limit.
Confessing that he struggled on the greens as he finished with three bogeys in his last six holes, Grant said: "Nine three putts for four rounds will not get it done at the next stage so time to get working."
Grant, who only took up the game late in life after a successful career in football with the likes of Shamrock Rovers and a series of clubs in England and the US, is also through to the Second Stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.
His problem is that the Second Stage events in the US are from November 1-4 or November 8-11 while Stage Two in Europe is from November 4-7 with the Final Stage from November 12-17.
Ben Silverman (69 70 67 67) topped the qualifiers by four shots on 15 under with Grant's share of 22nd on two under 286 good enough to make it to Second Stage.
One man who definitely won't be at Second Stage is Waterville's Mark Murphy after he finished tied 63rd at Pine Mountain in Georgia on eight over, 12 strokes outside the qualifying mark.