Amateur Nick Taylor, of Canada, chips out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., Sunday, June 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)Morry Gash/The Associated Press
Nick Taylor, Andrew Parr, Matt Hill and Matt Johnston have safely moved on to the second stage of European Tour Q-School.
The Canadian foursome were among 30 players who qualified after competing in the opening stage this week in Ebreichsdorf, Austria.
Taylor from Abbotsford, B.C., came up with his best round of the week, a 7-under 65, to leave him in a tie for sixth at 14-under par.
Parr from London, Ont., shot 66 to finish in a tie for 14th at 11-under while Hill from Brights Grove, Ont., and Winnipeg's Johnston both finished at 10-under par.
American Josh Habig, who played on the Canadian Tour this past season, captured the first stage event with a final round 67 to leave him all alone atop the leaderboard at 20-under par.
Argentina's Emiliano Grillo made the biggest move of the day after shooting a 9-under 63 which vaulted him into the top 10.
Additional first stage qualifiers are scheduled for the next two weeks in England, Germany, France, Italy and Portugal.
Oliver Tubb of Vancouver is among the entries in Fleesensee, Germany while L.P. Godin of Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Mike Mezei of Lethbridge, Alta., and Christina Lake, B.C. native Lindsay Reynolds, who makes his home in Thailand while competing on the Asian Tour, will be attempting to qualify in Bogogno, Italy the week of September 27th.
Billy Houle of Berthier, Que., will begin his qualifying stage in Portugal early next month while Philippe-Andre Bannon of Montreal is in Abingdon, England the first week of October as well.
The second stage of qualifying is scheduled to begin on December 2nd at four locations in Spain.