PGA TOUR

Riley Wheeldon Monday qualifies for Farmers Insurance Open

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Riley Wheeldon (PGA TOUR Canada/ Claus Andersen)

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Comox, B.C.’s Riley Wheeldon will have another opportunity to test his skills against the world’s best golfers after Monday qualifying for the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.

Wheeldon fired a 6-under 66 Monday at El Camino Country Club in Oceanside, Calif., to secure one of the four available spots.

The former Team Canada Development Squad member was paired in the final group with Victoria, B.C.’s Cory Renfrew and amateur Alexander Kopp of West Melbourne, Fla.

Renfrew shot an even par 72 and tied for 46th, while Kopp finished last (103rd) at 16 over.

Fellow B.C. golfers Adam Hadwin (T15) and Nick Taylor (T35) recorded rounds of 69 and 71 respectively and fell short of qualifying. Hadwin earned his way into the 2013 Farmer’s Insurance Open last year’s after he tied for first at the 2013 Monday Qualifier.

Notables in this year’s Farmer’s Insurance Open field at Torrey Pines include defending champion Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson as well as Canadians Graham DeLaet, Brad Fritsch, David Hearn, Mike Weir and Stephen Ames.

Wheeldon won the Syncrude Boreal Open for his first PGA TOUR Canada title in 2013 and also finished third at the Times Colonist Island Savings Open in Victoria.

The 23-year-old, who finished 2nd on PGA TOUR Canada’s money list in 2013, and thus earned a partial exemption onto the Web.com Tour this season.

His play during the 2013 PGA TOUR Canada season also earned him an exemption into the 2013 RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., where he recorded a pair of 3-over 75s and missed the cut.