For the first time in his professional golf career, Rob Oppenheim has "status."
Oppenheim, the former Andover High and Rollins College great, broke through on his eighth try at PGA Tour Qualifying School with a huge weekend at Callaway Gardens in Georgia.
His four-day, 72-hole total of 68-73-66-71—278 (10-under par) tied Oppenheim for 13th place overall, good enough to advance to the third and final stage of Q School.
All third stage qualifiers have "status" — that is at least conditional status on the Nationwide tour — with a chance to play on the 2010 PGA Tour. In seven previous attempts at Q School Oppenheim had never reached Stage 3, despite four previous attempts in Stage 2.
"I can't imagine much more pressure than what I just went through," said Oppenheim, now 30. "Getting through the second stage is a career-changer for me. Ever since I started playing professional eight years ago, the PGA Tour has been the goal. That dream is alive."
Oppenheim had a very productive summer, winning the Mass. and New Hampshire Opens along the way.
He faced a key turning point in this Stage during Thursday's second round.
After the 68 Wednesday, the two-time Eagle-Tribune Golfer of the Year was struggling.
"I was putting lousy and wasn't scoring at all," he said.
Through 16 holes, he was 3-over par. All that changed on the 408-yard 17th when Oppenheim knocked in a gap wedge from 114 yards out for his only eagle of the event.
"My caddie (Andover Country Club pro Mike Menery) and I couldn't see it, because the shot was up over a bunker, but just like that I get two shots back to par out of the blue," Oppenheim said. "That was huge. It doesn't happen often."
Oppenheim, who'll return to his new home in Orlando, Fla., won't have much time to revel in the success.
Stage 3 is a six-day, 108-hole test in West Palm Beach that begins on Dec. 2. About 180 pros will play in that one.
Where Oppenheim stands
Rob Oppenheim advanced to the final stage of PGA Qualifying School this week. He advanced through Stage 1 in the last week of October.
This week, he finished tied for 13th at Callaway Gardens in Georgia, one of six Stage 2 sites.
About 120 qualifiers from those six events, plus automatic qualifiers off the 2009 PGA Tour and 2009 Nationwide Tour, will meet at Bear Lakes in West Palm Beach, Fla., in a six-day Stage 3 beginning Dec. 2.
The top 25 finishers there earn their PGA Tour cards. Finishers 26-50 earn totally exempt status on the Nationwide Tour, meaning they can enter every event they wish. The rest gain "conditional" status on the Nationwide Tour.
Stage 3 of the PGA Qualifying School will be televised live on The Golf Channel.
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