Connor

Arendell

The 31-year-old Florida native, who played college golf at Central Florida, started on the 10th tee and made four birdies on his first nine holes and one more on his 10th before finishing with five straight on Nos. 5-9. This marks Arendell’s third successful bid through qualifying in 2021: He also Monday qualified for a start in the Rocket Mortgage Classic (MC) and Wyndham Championship (MC). He has yet to make a cut in five previous Tour starts. Also qualifying Monday were South Korea’s Sangmoon Bae, who went 8-under par over his final nine holes for a 7-under 65, and Canadian Ben Silverman, who also shot 65. Mexico’s Rodolfo Cazaubon and Australia’s Rhein Gibson both carded a 66 in the battle for the final spot, and they were tied after the first playoff hole when play was called due to darkness. They’ll resume action Tuesday morning.

Last month, the 31-year-old Arendell also played his way into the Rocket Mortgage Classic (MC), where he earned medalist honors after shooting a 6-under 65 at Oakland University’s Katke Course. The Wyndham will mark the fourth career PGA Tour start for the Central Florida alum, who had earned his Korn Ferry Tour card for the 2018 season but has since failed to retain status. Prior to that, Arendell competed on the European Tour and European Challenge Tour in 2014 and 2015, and he notched three top-three finishes on the Challenge Tour. Overall, Arendell has one top-25 finish in 32 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour (nine made cuts).

Arendell was the only qualifier out of four who was able to avoid what turned into a 9-for-3 playoff that went eight holes. The 31-year-old Central Florida alum will make his third career PGA Tour start this week and his first since the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Arendell had earned his Korn Ferry Tour card for the 2018 season but failed to retain status. Prior to that, he competed on the European Tour and European Challenge Tour in 2014 and 2015, and he notched three top-3 finishes on the Challenge Tour. Overall, Arendell has one top-25 finish in 32 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour (nine made cuts).