Dec. 7, 2009

Final Results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Former Oakland University men's golf standout Brian Stuard (2001-05) earned his PGA Tour qualifying card in fashion on Monday afternoon, finishing with back-to-back birdies and shooting an overall score of 10-under-par, finishing in a tie for 19th place. The top 25 players at Q-School earned their playing status on the PGA Tour for 2010 at Bear Lakes Country Club.

"It was a nice way to finish after bogeys on 14 and 15," said Stuard. "I told myself to get over it and get back going again."

Stuard, a native of Jackson, Mich., came to the 17th hole needing to birdie to give himself a chance. He then stiffed a wedge that went past the hole and almost went in, sinking his putt from just inches away. The 2005 Mid-Con Player of the Year then almost holed his approach shot on 18 and sunk a 5-foot putt to get himself off the bubble and get to 10-under-par. Stuard shot an even-par score of 72 on the final day.

"I am so happy for Brian," said OU coach Brian Costello. "After all of the near misses, I knew it was just a matter of time before he realized every golfer's dream of making it to the PGA Tour. Brian is not just a great player, but he is also a great person and he has shown the entire world that you don't need to go to a BCS school to make it as a professional golfer.

"It all comes down to heart and mental toughness. Brian showed today that he has a lot of both. To finish the way he did today, making two birdies on his last two holes to secure his card, demonstrates that he does belong out there and should have a great career on the PGA Tour. All of us in the Oakland University golf family will be pulling for Brian next year and excited to see him compete against the best golfers in the world."

Another first time qualifier was the Q-School medalist Troy Merritt who finished his final round with a 3-under-par 69, shooting 22-under-par and finishing one shot clear of PGA Tour veteran Jeff Maggert.

Stuard still holds the school record for season stroke average (72.25 / 2004-05) and career stroke average (73.82). He finished 26th on the Nationwide Tour money list, one spot from earning his card. Once again he put together a tremendous Q-School, this time getting inside the top 25. He finished his career at OU as a three-time all-league honoree, winning the 2005 Mid-Con Tournament.

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