By IANS
Dade City (Florida) : Arjun Atwal missed making the final stage of the US PGA Tour Qualifying School by an agonising one shot at the Lake Jovita Country Club here.
Atwal, a former Asia No. 1 in 2003, had four birdies on his back nine, but the four-over front nine pulled him down as he carded a final round of even par 72. His earlier rounds were 71, 69 and 71 for a total of five-under 283 to finish tied 21st, as the top-20 and ties moved into the Final Stage.
Bubba Dickerson and Scott Parel topped the table as the duo fired matching 69s for a 272 total.
In the other qualifiers, Korea’s Yang Yong-eun blasted a four-under-par 68 to finish on top of the leader board in the Second Stage qualifier at the Oak Valley Golf Club in California. He fired an eagle and four birdies against two bogeys for a 19-under-par 269 total as he booked his place to the Final Stage Nov 28-Dec 3.
Another Korean Lee Woon-joon also sealed his place for the final stage when he finished four strokes behind his compatriot in a comfortable tied fourth position after a 67.
In Arizona, New Zealander Brad Iles met the mark in the qualifiers when he claimed tied fourth spot. Iles, who played in his maiden season on the Asian Tour last year, enjoyed a bogey free round with six birdies at the Royal Dunes Golf Club.
Other Asian Tour players missing out included Australian Scott Hend, third on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, who withdrew after the third round. Also missing out were Edward Loar of US and Ross Bain of Scotland.
The top-20 and ties from the second stage qualifiers held at six venues make their way to the final stage