ASHBURN, Ontario -- The opening round of the Canadian Tours Fall Qualifying School, which was suspended by darkness Monday night, wrapped up this morning. Dan Swanson and Ryan Miller lead as round two is now underway.
Swanson and Miller each posted a 3-under 69 Monday to get the early jump in the 90-hole marathon. Brennan Webb, Billy Noon, Brett Carman, Dan McNeely and Andy Matthews are two shots back.
Play was halted twice Monday when heavy storms rolled into the area, leaving the 6841-yard, par-72 track temporarily unplayable.
Swanson, a standout in the Canadian amateur ranks, turned professional prior to Q-School, two years after helping Canada to a Four Nations Cup crown. Tour standouts Jon Mills and David Hearn were also members of that championship Four Nations squad.
Despite conditions that left just six players under par Monday, Swanson felt he was able to keep his focus and has put himself in prime position early in the week.
It seems like I concentrate more when its like this, he admitted. You know you are going to have to hit some solid shots to make up for it. My short game helped me out today’I know how to get the ball in the hole and you need it on days like today. This start doesnt guarantee anything, but my mindset here isnt just to qualify. Im here to win.
Miller struggled in his rookie season, making just two of 11 cuts to wind up 111th on the money list. Webb is a Canadian Tour veteran who finished 92nd in earnings in 2003, just two spots shy of keeping non-exempt status for next year.
Each of the hopefuls will play four rounds through Thursday before the field is reduced to the low 60 scores plus ties. Those remaining will compete Friday for one of 15 exempt and a minimum of 10 non-exempt cards to be awarded for the 2004 season.