List, English, de Groot try for tour spots

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Harris English goes through his stretch routine prior to his tee shot on the 9th hole during the final round of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational golf tournament at the Ohio State Scarlet Course, July 24, 2011. (Dispatch photo by Neal C. Lauron)

Former Baylor School stars Harris English and Luke List already have full status on the Nationwide Tour for next year.

They're one good tournament away from being on the PGA Tour.

List, who turned pro in 2007, and English -- who made his professional debut this summer after playing on the U.S. Walker Cup team -- will begin the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school today at PGA West in LaQuinta, Calif. The top 25 and ties from the six-day tournament will earn main-tour status for 2012.

Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga star Emma de Groot will begin the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-school today as well.

King Oehmig, who coached English and List at Baylor, said both "know how to win and how to play under pressure, and each of them hit it well. The question will be how well they're putting."

List locked up his 2012 spot on the Nationwide Tour by earning $142,600 and finishing inside the top 40 on the money list in 2011.

English earned his Nationwide status by winning the Nationwide Children's Hospital Classic in Columbus, Ohio, as an amateur in July.

"They have all the necessary elements to be out there," Oehmig said. "They're capable of playing well, and having a little good luck wouldn't hurt. They're prepared and know they can play with any and all of them."

De Groot is one of 142 golfers competing at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. All will play 72 holes, and then a cut will be made to the best 70 scores and ties for 18 holes. The number of cards given has not been determined.