Scottish golfer on teaming up with compatriot for PGA Tour card bid
Callum McNeill has James Ross on bag for Q-School Final Stage in Ponte Vedra Beach
Callum McNeill is a man on a mission as he joins fellow Scot Russell Knox among the PGA Tour card hopefuls at this week’s Q-School presented by Korn Ferry in Florida.
Just five cards are up for grabs in the four-round battle, which starts on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass (Dye’s Valley Course as opposed to the Stadium Course) and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Knox, a two-time tour winner, is bidding to regain his full status on the US circuit while McNeill is trying to secure a first crack at being a PGA Tour card holder.
“Obviously it’s not been the year I wanted,” the Edinburgh-born man who calls Hawick home but is now based in Texas told The Scotsman. “It goes back to this time last year.
“I played poorly here at Final Stage and meant I wasn’t really going to get any opportunities on the Korn Ferry Tour. It’s been a difficult season, I have never really felt like I’ve fired on all cylinders yet, but it’s been close.”
‘Working hard knowing future was on the line’
In last week’s Second Stage, which the Scott brothers Calum and Sandy failed to negotiate, McNeill carded a 65 in one of the rounds as he progressed at RTJ - Highlands/Marshwood in Alabama.
“I’ve been working so hard leading into Q-School again knowing my future in golf was on the line,” he added, “but I seem to perform really well when the situation is heightened.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity this week and am lucky enough to have my good pal, James Ross (a fellow Scottish professional who is also based in Texas) on the bag. We play and practice together all the time, so he knows me and my game better than anyone.”
A field of 176 players contains a strong US contingent that includes the likes of Cameron Champ, Brandon Wu, Luke List, Julian Suri and Doug Ghim, as well as Colombian Camilo Villeagas, Canadian Adam Hadwin and Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa.
“I’m sure it will feel like ‘us v them’ - just a couple of young Scots trying to prove a point,” joked McNeill, who, as well as flying the Saltire, also has a Scottish company in Alumni Whisky backing him at the moment.
“Without their support I would not be in this position and still chasing my dream,” he admitted. “Here’s to a good week and making up for previous disappointments!”
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