Allen takes two-shot lead at Q School
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Michael Allen picked a good time to find a pure putting stroke, opening with an 8-under 64 for a two-shot lead Wednesday in the first of six rounds at PGA Tour qualifying.
Allen, who finished 130th on the money list, missed keeping his card by about $35,000. But he seems to thrive at one of the toughest weeks in golf, having advanced through Q School seven of the last 11 times.
"We plan it into our vacation every year now," Allen said. "I play a little more to the middle of the greens, a little more conservative. I don't really know why I do well, but I guess I know I'm playing for pure survival."
Allen shot his 64 on the longer Panther Lake course at Orange County National.
Franklin Langham had a 66 on the Panther Lake course, while Greg Kraft, Gavin Coles and Ryan Hietala each shot 66 on the Crooked Cat course.
Only the top 30 and ties from the 164-man field earn their PGA Tour cards for next year. The final stage began with 165 players, but Pat Bates withdrew after opening with an 81.
Bill Haas, the son of Jay Haas, was among those who opened with a 68.
Anyone who shot in the 60s all had the same outlook about the 108-hole tournament: It was a good start.
"It's definitely better than playing 6 over, that's for sure," Coles said. "It's a long week, and you have to keep your head on and be patient. I think that's what I tried to do out there today."
Several players didn't get off to the start they wanted.
Frank Lickliter opened with a 73, Bob May shot a 75 and Skip Kendall had a 76.
While the 46-year-old Allen has made it seven times in the last 11 years, Chris Tidland has a more dubious streak. This is sixth consecutive trip to the final stage of Q School -- the longest active streak -- and he has narrowly missed getting his card from the Nationwide Tour the last three years. He shot 74.
Allen at least has some job security from finishing 130th on the money list. Even if he doesn't get his card this week, he will have conditional status and can expect to get into about 20 tournaments.
Hietala is making his fifth trip to the final stage, but this is the first time he has a safety net. He can at least return to the Nationwide Tour next year because he was 34th on that money list.
"This is my first trip to finals not having to worry about a job next year," he said. "The only pressure is me going out and getting my card, so I'm a little more laid back this week. But I don't want to get too laid back because (if) you shoot 80 every day, you're still right where you started before you came here."
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
