Colorado native Chris Korte lands conditional status for PGA Tour Canada through Q-school; former Fort Collins resident Matt Liringis exempt for first half of season
By Gary Baines – 4/7/2023
Four weeks after one golfer who grew up in Colorado and played for the University of Denver earned conditional status on PGA Tour Canada by finishing in the top 15 of a Q-school event, another did the same on Friday.
Littleton native Chris Korte made the grade this week at a qualifying tournament in Litchfield Park, Ariz., tying for 14th place for a conditional spot on the 2023 Canadian tour. On March 10 in Dothan, Ala., it was Jackson Solem placing 13th at his Q-school event.
Korte, winner of the 2015 CGA Amateur and 2017 CGA Match Play, went in 74-75-65-70 to check in with a 4-under-par 284 total in the 132-player tournament. Over the final 36 holes, he made 11 birdies and two bogeys.
By finishing in the 11th-30th range, Korte will be conditional on PGA Tour Canada, where the season begins June 15 with the Royal Beach Victoria Open in Victoria, B.C.
The medalist on Friday — Jason Hong — will be exempt on the circuit for the entire season, while the second through 10th-place finishers will be exempt for roughly the first half of the season. The latter category includes former Fort Collins resident Matt Liringis, who tied for eighth place (77-69-66-69 for a 7-under 281 total). Liringis made an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys on Friday.
One player who came up short of landing conditional status, AJ Ott of Fort Collins, made a hole-in-one in Thursday’s third round, draining an 8-iron shot from 172 yards on the 11th hole (his second of the day).
With even par overall — or better — needed to earn at least conditional status, Ott ended up at 3 over.
This week’s tournament was the fourth of six PGA Tour Canada Q-school events planned for 2023.
PGA Tour Canada Qualifying Results
At Litchfield Park, Ariz.
8. Former Fort Collins resident Matt Liringis 77-69-66-69–281
14. Littleton native and former DU golfer Chris Korte 74-75-65-70–284
Failed to Earn PGA Tour Canada Status
39. Former CSU golfer AJ Ott of Fort Collins 77-73-70-71—291
79. Josh Seiple of Castle Rock 78-73-72-76—299
For all the scores from this week’s qualifier, CLICK HERE.
About the Author: Gary Baines owns and operates ColoradoGolfJournal.com