MOBILE, Ala. ? Former University of South Alabama golfing standout Jonny Caldwell fired a final-round 74 to finish tied for 23rd and earn membership to the European Tour. He will join former Jag Gareth Maybin, who automatically qualified earlier in the year, on Europe’s highest professional tour.
Caldwell’s six-round total of 350 was just enough to qualify, as a score of 351 would have placed him in a tie for 29th at PGA Golf de Catalunya in Girona, Spain, and missed the standard. Heading into the last round Caldwell was three shots clear of the 23rd spot, and although the 74 was his highest score of the final stage it was good enough to advance.
“I couldn’t be more proud and happy for both Gareth and Jonny,” Hannan. “Their early success as professionals is a tribute to their individual talent, commitment and constant improvement. I believe like former Jag All-American Heath Slocum, they will experience long and successful careers as professionals no matter where their endeavors take them.”
A four-time all-Sun Belt Conference selection, Caldwell ? a Northern Ireland native ? is no stranger to international golf. He was a member of both the Irish Amateur Team which took home the European Championship in 2007 and was also named to the Walker Cup team that year.
Caldwell brings the total number of Jags on the European Tour to two, joining Maybin, who automatically qualified after finishing in fourth place on the European Challenge Tour. Maybin’s ?117,719 total was bolstered by a win in China where he took home over ?56,000.
An all-Sun Belt performer each year at USA, Maybin was the 2005 Hooters Tour Rookie of the Year before making the jump to the European Challenge Tour. Maybin was also a member of the 2005 European Palmer Cup team.
Both Caldwell and Maybin are expected to make their European Tour debuts early in the 2009 season.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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