But the PGA Tour's three-stage Qualifying Tournament is anything but normal.
Strange things can happen, and they usually do.
Rex Caldwell found that out Nov. 15 at the second stage qualifier at Painted Dunes Golf Club in El Paso, Texas. Yet, it was all for naught. Not only did Caldwell, who has been on and off the PGA Tour since 1975, not finish first, but he was four shots short of placing in the top 25 and advancing to the qualifying tournament's final stage. And, since the tournament is not considered an official event, he doesn't get his name in the PGA Tour record book, which shows two 59s and nine 60s as all-time tournament lows for 18 holes. After 72 holes, the field will be cut to the low 90 and ties for the final two rounds, which will be played at La Purisima.