Scott

Parel

Parel is one stroke clear of Steve Wheatcroft after circling four birdies and one eagle to just two bogeys in his third lap around Crestview CC. A veteran of 170 Web.com Tour events, Parel has never hoisted a trophy. His previous best finish is a playoff loss at The Rex Hospital Open in 2012.

The 48-year-old veteran was making his 171st start on the Web.com Tour, and his 18-under 69-66-67-64=266 easily placed him three clear of Alex Aragon. Parel circled six birdies and one eagle to just one bogey in his final lap around Crestview CC. The eagle came at the par-5 14th, where he also recorded an eagle in the third round. Ball-striking was the key to his week, finishing fifth in both driving accuracy and GIR. With this victory, he moves to 14th on the money list and ensures a spot in the four-tournament playoff for a 2013-14 PGA TOUR card. He is well positioned to finish his season inside the top 25 of the money list, which would also result in a TOUR card.

Parel swallowed his lone bogey of the day at the par-4 second, then bounced back in a big way with four birdies over his next six holes. It would be all pars from there until he ended his day with a birdie at the par-3 17th and a final par at the par-4 18th. The key to his week as been avoiding mistakes. His one bogey in the second round stands as his only blemish of the week, joining seven birdies. His lone Web.com Tour win came at the Air Capital Classic last season.

Parel has been playing on the Nationwide Tour this season and finished in fourth place at the Southern Georgia Open a couple of weeks ago. He has played in the AT&T Classic once and finish T-57 in 2006.

Parel circled five birdies and tacked on 13 pars on what proved to be a difficult day for scoring at Panama Golf Club. The University of Georgia product and Michigan native owns one career victory on the Web.com Tour, coming at the 2013 Air Capital Classic. He will turn 50 on May 15th of this year, so it’s fair to say he has his sights set on a Champions Tour career as much or more than earning a 2015-16 PGA TOUR card.