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Two of the Second Stage Q-School sites, Georgia (Valdosta) and Alabama, were hit by sudden heavy rain on December 5, forcing organizers to cancel the scheduled 4th round.
Because a significant portion of the field did not finish the final round, the tournament followed standard procedure. All 4th-round scores were voided, and the final qualifying positions were reset on the leaderboard after 54 holes (end of Round 3). GolfNewsRI+1
Who This Helps, and Who It Hurts
For some players, the weather call was a gift. For instance, Chris Francoeur secured a spot at the Final Stage despite the abrupt ending, thanks to his 3-round total. GolfNewsRI
But for others, including some who were leading or surging during the unfinished 4th round, this decision wiped out their hard-fought gains. One player, James Nicholas, reportedly lost his place when the scores were reset back to after Round 3. EssentiallySports
The backlash was swift. On social media, fans and players alike called the outcome “brutal” and “harsh,” questioning whether the governing body could have delayed the final for a few hours or extended it into the next day to give players a fair shot. EssentiallySports+1
What This Means: Key Takeaways
- The rain-out underscores the fragility of pro golf qualifying events; even after three solid rounds, a sudden storm can undo everything.
- 54-hole scorecards ultimately prevailed, proving that sometimes consistency over volatility wins out over late surges.
- For those advancing, the victory is bittersweet: they advance, but knowing a strong 4th round could have reshuffled the leaderboard adds a layer of “what if.”
- For those who fell out, it’s a harsh reminder: in pro golf, you don’t just play against the field, you play against the weather too.
What Happens Next
Players who advanced will now prepare for the Final Stage of Q-School, set to begin December 11–14 at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. PGA Tour+1
Meanwhile, the fallout from this rain-out, from heartbreak to controversy, will likely spark debate over whether Q-School formats and contingency rules need updates to better protect players caught in weather delays.
