Comox golfer Riley Wheeldon gained entry into the first four events of the upcoming Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada by finishing sixth last week at a qualifying school tournament at Crown Isle.
Wheeldon fired rounds of 68, 69, 69 and 71 in the last of five Q school events for the tour, which begins June 1 in Vancouver. After the first four events, the circuit reshuffles according to money earned.
He said his season has been up and down, though things have been heading in the right direction the last month. Wheeldon teamed with Victoria’s Keaton Gudz to win the Vancouver Island Open, and tied for fourth at a Vancouver Golf Tour event at Morgan Creek.
Though an ongoing hip injury is “not ideal,” the 26-year-old was not letting the ailment detract from his main focus as he warmed up for round three on Thursday.
“The goal is ultimately to get back on tour,” he said.
In 2013, Wheeldon won a PGA Tour Canada event in Fort McMurray, Alta., and finished second on the money list. By so doing, he earned status for the 2014 Web.com Tour — a developmental tour for the American-based PGA Tour.
“I know it’s not out of my capabilities,” Wheeldon said.
In 2014, he played in nine Web.com Tour events, and made a few cuts. On one occasion, he played alongside Tiger Woods.
“I got to feel the Tiger buzz in full effect.”
Last year, Wheeldon placed 67th on the PGA Tour Canada money list. Only the top 60 players kept their cards.
“He’s disappointed that he has to come here but he’s glad that it’s in his hometown. So that helps,” his father Bill said.