Dec. 4, 2002

Columbia, S.C. After shooting a one-under-par score of 71 in the first round of the final stage of the PGA qualifying, former Gamecock, Kyle Thompson, stands in 53rd place.

Thompson bogeyed the first three holes, but improved as the day progressed. The three-time All-American ended the day with four birdies on the Nicklaus Course in La Quinta, Calif. Today’s round was the first of six rounds, alternating between the TPC Stadium Course and the Nicklaus Course.

Brett Quigley, also a former Gamecock golfer, is tied for 53rd after the first round of action.

At the end of the sixth round, the top 35 players will receive a PGA Tour Card. Thompson is also writing a dairy about his journey through the final stage of q-school which is featured in the local paper in Columbia, S.C., The State.