Oliver Goss is on the cusp of qualification for the Web.Com Tour Finals after a late charge in his opening round at the Portland Open today.
Goss’ hopes of playing on the 2016 PGA Tour depend on the Royal Fremantle member maintaining his top 75 ranking after this week’s regular season ending event.
Goss, currently 72nd in Web.Com Tour earnings, has missed his past six cuts since his top-5 finish at the Nova Scotia Open in July.
This unfortunate streak was looking odds-on to stretch to seven with Goss in early trouble with bogeys on the third and fifth holes.
But the Golf Australia rookie pro was able to rescue his round, and possibly his season, with birdies on 8, 11, 12, 16 and 17 to sign for a 3-under 68.
Goss is now sitting pretty in a tie for 24th and in a great position to lock in a finals berth.
There is so much at stake for Goss and the 13 other Australians in Portland this week, with the majority of the field battling for some form of status on the PGA or Web.Com Tours in 2016.
Golfers ranked in the Top 25 in earnings at the end of the Portland Open will earn golf’s most coveted card on the PGA Tour.
Those remaining in the Top 75 will be guaranteed of a spot on the 2016 Web.Com Tour as a minimum, with a further 25 PGA Tour cards up for grabs in the Web.Com Tour finals.
Q-school awaits golfers ranked outside the Top 75, however conditional status is granted to those who finish inside the top 100.