John

Huston

Huston hit just 20 GIR and still required 59 putts. It leaves him with five starts on his Major Medical Extension (Q School/Nationwide Tour category) to earn $517,217 and get elevated to the Major Medical category. He’ll try again at next week’s HP Byron Nelson Championship, where he has failed to cash in his last four starts (dating back to 2004).

This is his fifth missed cut in seven tournaments this year. He’s cashed once (T76/MDF, Transitions) and has withdrawn once (Mayakoba). It leaves him with four starts on his Major Medical Extension (Q School/Nationwide Tour category) to earn $517,217 and get elevated to the Major Medical category.

Huston was even-par in his first nine holes, but was 8-over-par on his final nine holes . We will update if a reason is given for his withdrawal.

Huston was 4-over-par for the opening nine holes, but most of that was due to a triple-bogey at the par-4 9th hole. Tour Officials gave a back injury as the reason for his withdrawal.

“John will be out for the season,” Elliott wrote. “He did request medical [extension]. He is in Tarpon Springs [Florida, near his home in Palm Harbor] doing rehab on his shoulder.” Huston has made 13 starts in 2009, earning $135,476, and hasn’t teed it up since withdrawing from the Nelson with what was reported as a back injury. Expect him to be granted 14-16 starts on his 2010 medical (Q School/Nationwide Tour category) to earn about $740K. His fantasy value was minimal even in the deepest of long-term leagues, but go ahead and set him free now if you already hadn’t.

Huston hit 15 GIR and took an efficient 28 putts today, leading to five birdies offset by just one bogey. Assuming he’s recovered from whatever forced him to withdraw from the Wyndham, Huston might be a mild sleeper in the Fall Series. And daily leagues should remember that he won the Viking five years ago, so today’s effort might be a harbinger for more success in a comfy place this weekend.

Huston has been making about half of his cuts this season, but recently he has been more consistent in making cuts on the Tour. His best finish at the Canadian Open is a T-11, which he did in 1988 and 2005.

Huston hasn’t played since withdrawing from the Wyndham after 31 holes. His last win on the PGA Tour came at the 2003 Viking but hasn’t finished better than T-67 (2006) at Annandale since. He should be a mainstay in the Fall Series, during which he’ll need to pocket about $460K to clinch a 2009 tour card.

Huston’s round was suspended by darkness on Thursday. There are a couple of golfers still finishing that could match or better the clubhouse lead of 65. Huston was one of five golfers to submit the score and the second to do so this morning.

Huston had played 13 holes and was 2-over-par at the time of his withdrawal. Tour Officials didn’t have a reason for his withdrawal.