Monday qualifiers: Texas Children's Houston Open
5 Min Read
Callum McNeill needed support to make his professional golf career a reality, including guidance from a major champion. Now he’ll make his TOUR debut at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open in his adopted home state.
McNeill carded 6-under 66 in Monday’s four-spot open qualifier for the Texas Children’s, joining a trio of players that advanced via a 4-for-3 playoff at 5-under 67 at Westwood Golf Club. Rhein Gibson, Emilio Gonzalez and Sung Kang survived the playoff, whileMatt Atkins fell short.
McNeill, 30, has unturned many stones in his quest to fund his professional golf dreams, including time as a golf operations supervisor and assistant pro at the nearby Clubs at Houston Oaks. With the help of supporters including mentor Hal Sutton, he has turned his attention to the pursuit of a full-time playing career. He holds conditional Korn Ferry Tour status this season after finishing T125 at PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry's Final Stage last fall, meaning an uncertain playing schedule into 2024, and he knows that playing the game long-term is an expensive proposition.
Hence his emotion after Monday's round, with his cousin on the bag, was palpable.
"I've worked at a club (Houston Oaks) here for eight years, and a lot of people here have helped me, so without them I wouldn't be able to do this, so it would be cool to make my PGA TOUR debut here in town; it's kind of like my second home," McNeill said after Monday's round, before his spot in the Texas Children's field was finalized.
What would it mean to qualify? McNeill noted "it's hard" and paused, tears entering his eyes, before continuing.
"You never know how many more chances you're going to get," he said. "I've been doing it (full-time) for just over three years, and there's nothing guaranteed, so it would mean a lot."
His score was enough, and now he'll compete in the big leagues this week at Memorial Park.
Here's a capsule look at the four Monday qualifiers for the Texas Children's Houston Open.
Callum McNeill (6-under 66)
Age: 30
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland
Alma mater: University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland
PGA TOUR starts: 0 (four on Korn Ferry Tour, three on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica)
Notes: Made five birdies and an eagle at Westwood Golf Club, carding 31 on the back nine to qualify and secure low medalist … Worked as an assistant pro at The Clubs at Houston Oaks when 14-time PGA TOUR winner and major champion Hal Sutton and other members pushed him to play professionally … Finished T125 at PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry … Missed two cuts this season on the Korn Ferry Tour (117 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro, Astara Chile Classic presented by Scotiabank).
Rhein Gibson (5-under 67, advanced via playoff)
Age: 38
Hometown: Bendigo, Australia
Alma mater: Oklahoma Christian University
PGA TOUR starts: 60
Cuts made: 28
Best PGA TOUR finish: T21, 2020 Corales Puntacana Championship
Notes: Made seven birdies and two bogeys during qualifying round … Missed out in a 2-for-1 playoff during the Monday qualifier for the 2021 Texas Children’s Houston Open … In May 2012, he shot a 16-under-par 55 at River Oaks GC in Edmond, Oklahoma, a round later recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the lowest of all time … Has made 4-of-6 cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour this season with a season-best finish T34 at the 117 Visa Argentina Open presented by Macro.
Emilio Gonzalez (5-under 67, advanced via playoff)
Age: 26
Hometown: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Alma mater: St. Mary's University
PGA TOUR starts: 0
Notes: Made eight birdies against three bogeys Monday and survived playoff to earn first TOUR start ... Has made four cuts in six Korn Ferry Tour starts this year, including three top-20 finishes. Currently stands No. 29 on season-long Korn Ferry Tour Points List (top 30 at season's end will earn 2025 PGA TOUR membership) ... Made just four cuts in 12 Korn Ferry Tour starts last season, finishing No. 172 on season-long standings. Began 2024 Korn Ferry Tour season on an intermediate medical extension ... Was a two-time NCAA All-American in college ... Enjoys playing Call of Duty, table tennis and pickleball ... Worked with his brother at a furniture company for a month during summer break when he was 12.
Sung Kang (5-under 67, advanced via playoff)
Age: 36
Hometown: Jeju, South Korea
Alma mater: Yonsei University
PGA TOUR starts: 272
Cuts made: 134
Best PGA TOUR finish: Win, 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson
Notes: Made six birdies Monday against one bogey and survived playoff to earn his second TOUR start of the season ... Holds conditional TOUR status this season as a past champion, after finishing No. 193 on last year's FedExCup Fall standings ... Has missed the cut in both Korn Ferry Tour starts this season ... Now resides in Frisco, Texas, and will relish the chance to compete this week in his adopted home state ... Has also won on the Asian Tour, OneAsia Tour and Korean Tour ... First TOUR win came in Texas, where he finished 23 under at the 2019 AT&T Byron Nelson for a two-stroke win over Scott Piercy and Matt Every.