Hitchner Shoots 274 (-14), Makes Second Stage of Q-School

HENRYVILLE, Ind. -- The First Stage of the PGA Tour/Korn Ferry Q-School series of tournaments is almost over. It was supposed to end Friday, but the weather in Florida has pushed one qualifier back, and it will be played in Ocala, Fla., next week. One Minnesotan (Muzzy Donohue, the former St. Thomas Academy star from North Oaks) and someone else with Minnesota connections, Evan Long, the former Gopher from New Castle, Penn., will be there.

Meanwhile, Derek Hitchner, the former Minnesota state high school champion who went on to claim a State Amateur title and become an All-American at Pepperdine, is through to the Second Stage. He completed the qualifier at Champions Pointe GC in Henryville, Ind. with a 72-hole score of 274 (14 under par) on Friday.That earned him a tie for seventh, and he advanced with three shots to spare.

The top 21 and ties advanced, and it took an aggregate of 277 to make it. Three players tied for 20th at that number.

One of the casualties in Henryville was Brady Madsen. The former State Open champion from Raymond missed by six with a 283.

There will be five Second Stage tournaments, beginning Nov. 19 with the one at The Landings-Deer Creek in Savannah, Ga. The other four will be played the first week in December.

The Final Stage will be contested at the TPC Sawgrass Valley Course and Sawgrass CC in Ponte Vedra, Fla., and at the conclusion of that tournament, PGA Tour Cardss for 2025 will be awarded to the top five finishers at ties. All the other players who make it to the Final Stage will get varying levals of status on the Korn Ferry Tour for '25.


PGA TOUR/KORN FERRY Q-SCHOOL

FIRST STAGE (72-hole tournaments)

Henryville, Ind.

Champions Pointe GC

Par 72, 7,174 yards

The top 21 finishers and ties advance to the Second Stage of Q-School

(There are four stages to Q-School -- Preliminary, First Stage, Second State and Final Stage. The Final Stage will be Dec. 12-15 at TPC Sawgrass Country Club and Sawgrass CC in Ponte Vedra, Fla., and from there the top five fiinishers -- and ties -- will receive PGA Tour Cards for 2025. After that, those finishing at No. 6 through No. 40 will have varying degrees of exempt status for the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour.)

T7. Derek Hitchner, Minneapolis 67-67-69-71--274

What it took -- 277 (3-way tie for 20th)

T39. Brady Madsen, Raymond, Minn. 69-74-66-74--283


Madison, Miss.

Lake Caroline GC

Par 70, 6,835 yards

Oct. 15-18

The top 21 finishers and ties advance

What it took -- 273 (5-way tie for 21st)

T37. Van Holmgren, Wayzata 68-68-73-68--277 (-3)


Albequerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico Championship Course

Par 71, 7, 555 yards

Oct. 15-18

The top 21 and ties advance

What it took -- 286 (3-way tie for 21st)

T52. Andrew McCain, Mpls./Nashville 74-72-73-76--295

WD -- Austin Vukovits, Fishers, Ind. 79-WD


Maricopa, Ariz.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes

Par 72, 7,546 yards

Oct. 8-11

The top 21 and ties advance

Final results

T4. Ben Warian, Stillwater 66-73-69-70--278

What it took -- 281 (7-way tie for 19th)

T55. Andrew Israelson, Staples 74-69-72-76--291


Lincoln, Neb.

Wilderness Ridge CC

Par 71, 7,107 yards

Oct. 8-11

The top 25 and ties advance

Final results

T19. Ben Sigel, Minnetonka 72-64-69-72--277

What it took -- 277 (7-way tie for 19th)

T41. Nate Deziel, East Grand Forks 75-67-69-72--283

T49. Nate Adams, Maple Grove 71-71-71-73--286

T56. Thomas Lehman, Scottsdale, Ariz. 72-74-74-68--288

WD -- Jack Ebner, Edina


Broken Arrow, Okla.

Indian Springs - River Course

Par 71, 6,917 yards

Oct. 8-11

The top 20 and ties will advance

Final results

T9. Caleb VanArragon, Blaine 71-69-67-70--277

T16. Angus Flanagan, Surey, England 64-75-70-70--279

What it took -- 280 (2-way tie for 19th)

T51. Will Grevlos, Sioux Falls 77-71-68-74--290



PRELIMINARY STAGE (54-hole tournaments)


Woodstock, Ill.

At Bull Valley GC

Par 72, 7,190 yards

Sept. 11-13

The top 33 and ties advanced

T28. Jack Hiemenz, Blaine 75-77-76--228

What it took -- 228 (6-way tie for 28th)

Failed to advance

T43. Aaron Wilson,k Chaska 80-72-81--233


Kannapolis, N.C.

At Thr Club @ Irish Creek

Par 71, 7,144 yards

Sept. 11-13

The top 34 fiinishers and ties advanced

What it took -- 213 (6-way tie for 31st

Failed to advance

T40. Hentry May, Edina 72-70-73--215


Brunswick, Ga.

Brunswidk GC

Par 70, 6,802 yards

Sept. 18-20

The top 33 and ties advanced

T3. Muzzy Donohue, St. Paul 66-67-66--199

What it took -- 212 (3-way tie for 33rd)


Newton, Kansas

Sand Creek Station TC

Par 72, 7337 yards

Sapt. 18-20

The top 33 and ties advanced

T4. Nate Adams, Maple Grove 72-70-71--213

T12. Nate Deziel, East Grand Forks 75-73-68--216

What it took -- 222 (3-way tie for 33rd)


Chardon, Ohio

At Mayfield SRC - Sand Ridge

Par 72, 7277 yards

Sept. 18-20

The top 35 and tties advanced

What it took -- 219 (4-way tie for 33rd)

Failed to advance

T66. Zach Sklebar, Fargo 77-80-73--230