Atmosphere of Q-School

[cougar978]

I've never been to a Q-School, but my guess is the atmosphere with some of the older players trying to get their cards back is akin to the overall atmosphere in the 2008 film 'The Wrestler'.  I really feel bad for some of the guys out there who used to be big names on the big tour that now may be living paycheck to paycheck.

[x129]

I feel a lot worse for the guys that almost make it.  Sure it is tough on Duval not to be the golfer he was 10 years ago. But what about they guy that has practiced for 15+ years and then comes up 1 stroke short?

[cougar978]

I think it would be a lot easier for a guy (especially a young guy) like that to translate near-success to doing well on the Nationwide Tour or mini-tours to try and get himself an exemption than it would be for a guy that was a big star early (or even a guy like Ty Tryon who had a world of expectations and then flamed out).  I hate to single Tryon out because he seems like a pretty cool guy, but it has to suck going from having the golf world look at you like you're the next best thing in 2001 to having a series of injuries, bad play, and personal issues derail your career over the next 10 years to blowing up and shooting 78 the first round at Q-school.

In his defense, it looks like he got it together yesterday with a 70, hopefully he keeps that upward trend going.

[x129]

So you would rather be Julien on Big Break than Ty Tyron? It is easy to think that if you miss by one, you will be back next year. It doesn't always work that way.  Guys like Duval and Tyron at least banked a couple of million (a lot more for Duval) to fall back on while a guy like Julien is back to waiting tables (ok parking golf carts is more likely) trying to scrape up enough money to give it one more shot.

[shades9323]

Originally Posted by cougar978

I really feel bad for some of the guys out there who used to be big names on the big tour that now may be living paycheck to paycheck.

I don't feel too bad for them.  If they were big names on the Tour and they are now living paycheck to paycheck it means that they have squandered millions of dollars.

[deasy55]

Great to see 20 year old Seung-yul Noh tied for 2nd after shooting a 64 today. That kid has a great future ahead of him, it would(will) be great to see him on the PGA Tour.

[Roblar]

Stephanie Wei has some good posts about Q-School on her blog:

http://www.weiunderpar.com/

You might have to scroll down a bit to find them all.

[Bigcats82]

Originally Posted by deasy55

Great to see 20 year old Seung-yul Noh tied for 2nd after shooting a 64 today. That kid has a great future ahead of him, it would(will) be great to see him on the PGA Tour.

I agree.  Out of all of the guys in the final round of Q-School right now, I want Noh to qualify the most.  I think he will do great things on the Tour.  I'm also pulling for Summerhays, Horschel, and Hadwin.  Horschel and Hadwin need to get going though...

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by x129

I feel a lot worse for the guys that almost make it.  Sure it is tough on Duval not to be the golfer he was 10 years ago. But what about they guy that has practiced for 15+ years and then comes up 1 stroke short?

Dead right.

Duval has over 17 million in career earnings and one would guess several times that in endorsements.

He's lived the dream, now it's over.

Why should we feel sorry for him?