Third time’s the charm for Tim O’Neal getting through Q-School.
After unsuccessful final days at previous attempts at PGA Tour Q-School, O’Neal secured full playing privileges on the PGA Champions Tour for the upcoming 2023 season after finishing in the top-5 at the final stage of the Qualifying Tournament at TPC Scottsdale.
O’Neal finished the first round of qualifying at Buckhorn Springs tied for 12th after finishing the week 70-73-71-73 for a one-under-par final score.
The top sixteen players from that location qualified for the 2022 PGA TOUR Champions Qualifying Tournament Final.
The top five finishers in the Final received full membership to all open events on the PGA Champions Tour for the 2023 season.
Those that finished 6-30 received Associate Membership on the PGA Champions Tour and will be able to qualify for events via Monday qualifying.
O’Neal finished the final stage at TPC Scottsdale 69-72-65-65 for a thirteen-under-par week which was good enough for 3rd place and entitlement for full PGA Tour Champions membership.
Tim missed qualifying on the last day in 2000 and 2004 for the PGA Tour, both in heart breaking fashion.
In 2000, on the final hole of the tournament O’Neal believed he needed a birdie to close the tournament and secure his tour card when he actually only needed a bogey.
O’Neal went on to triple bogey the final hole in deflating fashion.
Tim’s other attempt came in 2004, when on the final hole he missed a 14-foot birdie putt to secure his card. His putt narrowly missed the cup and his round ended in disappointment the same as it did in 2000.
A 1997 graduate of Jackson State University, the Georgia native won the 1997 Georgia Amateur and 1998 Georgia State Open.