Golf: Rock keeps Hend on US tour

A friendly rock provided the impetus that kept Aussie Scott Hend on the lucrative United States PGA tour this week.

The Queenslander, who was the second-longest driver on the tour this season, didn't keep enough of those drives on the fairway during the year and had to go through the ordeal of re-qualifying.

He came to the last of the 108 holes of the qualifying school in California on the cut line for the top 30 and ties, who would earn cards for 2005.

His approach flew well over the 18th green and headed for the water when the ball bounced along the rocks on the lakeshore and caught in a clump of grass. He wedged the ball to 3m of the pin and sank the putt for a par and his tour card.

The final qualifying school is acknowledged as one of the most pressure-packed competitions in world sport.

At stake is "only" US$50,000 ($70,283) for the winner but more importantly is the potential to earn millions if you can finish among the top 30 and ties.

This week the one Kiwi playing, Manawatu left-hander Tim Wilkinson, missed the top group but finished high enough to earn a full card on the next-level Nationwide tour.

Ahead of him was the usual triumph and tragedy as those close to the cut line reacted to the intense pressure.

Brian Davis of England won the tournament with a 17-under total of 415. He was under no pressure on the final day, which he started with a six-shot lead.

In the event, he finished with a 74, including a double-bogey on a par-three.

Among the other 35 who earned their card were past PGA tour winners Bill Glasson, Jim Carter and J P Hayes and Phillip Price of Wales, who beat Phil Mickelson in a pivotal singles match in the 2002 Ryder Cup.

The cut-off for a PGA Tour card came at seven-under 425 and that was where the final-round pressure told.

David Hearn of Canada survived it in spectacular fashion. He started the final round in a comfortable position but dropped six shots before a 5m putt on the 17th and a 12m effort on the last saved his card.

Less lucky was Bob Burns, who won the Funai Classic two years ago. He was in the middle of the 18th fairway, one shot above the cut line, when he hit his approach into a bunker and three-putted for double bogey to miss his card by a single shot.

Joel Edwards, another past PGA Tour winner, was on the cut line until hitting his tee shot into the water and taking double bogey.

Craig Barlow was rewarded for persistence. He became the first player to open the six-day tournament with an 80 and still get his card. Barlow had to grind to the very end. He holed a long birdie putt on the 17th then made another good putt for par to earn his card.