Michael

Connell

The significance of that is due to the top 75 at week’s end will move on to the four-tournament Web.com Tour playoffs for a chance at a 2012-13 PGA TOUR card. The 76th man heads to the second stage of PGA TOUR Q School with the only possible outcome being improved Web.com Tour status for next year. The top 25 at week’s end earn a PGA TOUR card, so keep an eye on both bubbles.

Not bad considering that he woke up this morning with a share of the lead. Connell hit just nine greens today but kept it together with his putting, carding just three bogeys to finish four strokes off the clubhouse lead. Every day is a gut-check for the 34-year-old, who has cashed just seven times on the PGA Tour.

Super stuff from the journeyman from Texas, who scratched out the round despite hitting just 10 greens in regulation. The 66 matches his career low on the PGA Tour. He’s carded the number three times, all in an opening round.

Connell was the first alternate when the field was released on Friday, and gains entry due to the three withdrawals this morning. He’s cashed in five of six starts this season. His lone top 25 was posted at the Honda (T6). This will be his first career appearance at Harbour Town.

Connell snuck into the top 125 in earnings (115th) with a T7 at the season finale at Disney, so he’s capitalized immediately on his 11th-hour success. He converted seven birdies today, including tries of 20'7", 18'8" and 14'2" at the third, fourth and 10th holes, respectively. He was the seventh to complete his round one off the clubhouse lead.

Connell gained entry when Chris Couch withdrew this morning. Connell missed the cut at Colonial last year in his only appearance. He’s missed seven of his last eight cuts entering this week, and hasn’t broken 70 in over three months.