McLachlin falls short of top 125
Star-Bulletin staff
Parker McLachlin will have to go back to Q-school, but he does get to skip a couple of grades.
The Punahou School graduate shot a 1-under 71 yesterday in the Children's Miracle Network Classic to finish in a tie for 26th with an 8-under 280 total, nine shots removed from Stephen Ames' winning score of 271.
McLachlin earned $30,025 in the final event of the PGA Tour season to fall well short of finishing in the top 125 on the money list.
Those golfers keep their tour cards for next season. McLachlin finished No. 137 with $627,582. Mathias Gronberg was No. 125 with $785,180. By placing in the top 150, McLachlin earned conditional status that would allow him to play in a dozen or so events in 2008.
It also gives him an exemption until the final round in Q-school, a huge advantage over having to work your way all the way through the grueling event. McLachlin played in 28 tournaments this year, missing the cut in 15. McLachlin's all-around ranking on tour was No. 173.
Former Castle High golfer Dean Wilson skipped the 2007 season ender, opting to shut down and unwind during the two-month offseason. He finished 76th on the money list with $1,258,507.
» Ames wins in Florida.