Steve

Pate

Pate got in the field late on Monday. He has been replaced in the field by Ronnie Black, who has yet to play in a tournament this season.

Pate tied with Jin Park for medalist honors in qualifying. Also making the field were Jimmy Walker(67) and David Morland (68), who won the spot in a playoff with Peter Tomasulo (68).

Pate, who will turn 50-years-old in late May, has teed it up twice this season on the Nationwide Tour, with his only made cut coming at the Panama CLARO Championship, where he tied for 60th place.

Pate was the sixth alternate when the field was released on Friday. He gained entry as one of eight after this morning’s withdrawals. He’s never played in the Mayakoba, and made just one start on the PGA TOUR last year, opting for a full schedule on the Nationwide Tour, where he posted an early victory. Yet, for all intents and purposes, what might be most relevant is that he becomes eligible for the Champions Tour on May 26.

Pate is opting to tee it up at the Nationwide Tour’s season opener in Panama.

He’s played all three PGA TOUR-sanctioned circuits this year, but has competed the least on the primary, making the cut in Puerto Rico in his only start. Since turning 50 in late May, he’s posted a pair of top 10 in six starts on the Champions Tour.