McCain Is Medalist at Mackenzie Tour Canada Q-School

National

COURTENAY, BC, Canada -- Andrew McCain is a Tennessee native who played college golf for Maryland, but he has also lived in Texas, Florida, Colorado -- and Australia. He's spent time in Northern Minnesota, and had a couple of stints in the Twin Cities. And now he'll get a chance to tour Canada this summer, after claiming medalist honors in the Mackenzie Tour's Canada Q-School.

He sealed the deal with a 2-under-par 70 on Friday at the Crown Isle Resort course. That gave him a 72-hole total of 272 (16 under) and a three-stroke victory over fellow American -- and similarly named -- Wesley McClain, who closed with a 67. Actually, the top five finishers were all Americans. Tyler Salsbury was third with a 275. Tain Lee and amateur Stephen Franken tied for fourth at 276. 

The Canada Q-School was the sixth and final qualifier for the 2019 Mackenzie Tour (formerly the Canadian Tour), and each of the medalists received fully exempt status for the entire season (12  tournaments). Those finishing second through 14th in the qualifiers will be fully exempt for the first half of the schedule, and those placing 15th through 40th are conditionally exempt. 

McCain introduced himself to Minnesota golf by winning the State Open as an amateur in 2015. In 2016, he combined with Jesse Bull to win the Minnesota State Four-Ball Championship. He skipped the State Open in 2017, but had a good excuse -- he got married on the Sunday of the Open -- then returned in 2018, as a professional, and claimed his second State Open title.

He turned 25 in April. His goal, just as it is for most tournament pros, is to qualify for the PGA Tour. Earning a spot on the Mackenzie Tour is the first step toward that end.

"For me," he said Friday, "it's trying to just keep working up and progressing steps. You have the Mackenzie Tour and Web.com, and then the PGA Tour."

He opened the Q-School with a 69 and was tied for second after shooting 67 on Wednesday. McCain grabbed the lead with a third-round 65. He birdied the first two holes that day, but it was on the back nine where he really got going, with five birdies in the first seven holes on the way to an incoming 31.

Basically, he was on cruise control in the final round, making three birdies and one bogey in the first 10 holes, and then making eight consecutive pars on the way to the club house. 

"I'm looking forward to fishing all over Canada," he said. "I love to fish. I'm excited to play golf, as well, but to get to see so many cool plaices, I think it will be fun." 

McCain was also happy about the prospect of being able to plan his schedule for the whole 2019 season. 

"It's great not really having to worry about when you're going to play, or where you're going to play, or if you're going to get into an event. Knowing you have a place to play the entire year is exciting." 


MEN'S PROFESSIONAL GOLF

Mackenzie Tour

Canada Q-School

(The last of six Q-Schools for the 2019 Mackenzie Tour)

At Crown Isle Resort (par 72)

Courtenay, BC, Canada

Final results 

1. Andrew McCain, USA              69-67-65-70--271 (medalist is exempt for the entire 2019 season)

2. Wesley McClain, USA               70-71-66-67--274 (the 2nd- through 14th-place finishers are exempt for the first six tournaments)

3. Tyler Salsbury, USA                  68-68-71-68--275

T4. Tain Lee, USA                         71-70-68-67--276

T4. Stephen Franken (a), USA      70-70-66-70--276

(Players finishing 15th through 40th are conditionally exempt)