Blaine

McCallister

McCallister was the first alternate when the field was published on Friday afternoon. He gained entry in this morning’s first wave of withdrawals. The 53-year-old hasn’t teed it up on the PGA TOUR since the 2010 Reno-Tahoe Open. He hasn’t made a cut on the circuit since 2007 in Houston, a fitting coincidence considering he went to college at the University of Houston.

He started the week as the ninth alternate, but broke in when Daniel Berger withdrew. McCallister hasn’t been inside the ropes as a competitor on the PGA TOUR since 2012 and he hasn’t cashed in an event on the circuit since a T66 at the 2007 Shell Houston Open. So, despite the administrative update to reflect Berger’s replacement, don’t hold your breath on an appearance by the 56-year-old this week.

McCallister has been playing on the Nationwide Tour this season and his only start on the PGA Tour was at the Shell Houston Open, where he missed the cut. He has played at the Reno-Tahoe eight times, with two made cuts and a T-52 in 2002 being his best finish.

He sat inside the field of 132 for about 24 hours. NOTE: J.J. Killeen and Hunter Haas also withdrew as alternates. Both are prepared to compete at the Web.com Tour’s Midwest Classic.

McCallister was the seventh alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He earned a tee time at Annandale Golf Club following numerous withdrawals today. The 54-year-old has returned to the PGA TOUR on occasion since joining the Champions Tour. In his last start, he missed the cut at this event a year ago, but he hasn’t survived a cut since the 2007 Shell Houston Open.

Blaine has made his first cut of the season a few weeks ago at the Shell Houston Open . His best finish at the Zurich Classic was a second place in 2000.