Ventura, Heinen earn spots in Wichita Open on Web.com Tour
Photo: Nick Heinen and Kristoffer Ventura.
Former Oklahoma State golfer Kristoffer Ventura led one of two qualifiers Monday to play in this week’s Wichita Open on the Web.com Tour.
Ventura shot 5-under 67 to tie three other golfers at Auburn Hills Golf Course. Former OSU golfer Nick Heinen of Edmond also got in the field after advancing in a playoff following his 4-under 68.
There were 107 players for six spots at Willowbend and 108 players for six spots at Auburn Hills. Qualifiers must finish in the top 25 at the Wichita Open to earn a second start on the Web.com Tour. If Ventura or Heinen were to win the tournament, they would be exempt on the Web.com Tour for the remainder of this year and all of next year, plus play in the Web.com Tour Finals for a shot at a PGA Tour card. If they were to finish second, they would be exempt for the remainder of 2018 and have a spot in the Finals.
Royce Young, media director for the Web.com Tour, said it is rare but not unheard of for players to play their way onto the Web.com Tour through Monday qualifiers and even to earn PGA Tour status for the following year.