Meet the 2007 PGA TOUR Q-School Graduates

Note: The 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament was contested over six rounds at two different courses at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge. The top 25 players (and ties) all earned full playing privileges on the 2008 PGA TOUR. The following are profiles of the 26 players who earned their PGA TOUR cards through their q-school finishes.

Medalist: Frank Lickliter, 38
Birthplace: Middletown, Ohio
College: Wright State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 362 PGA TOUR starts, two victories
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 139th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. Overwhelmed the field at q-school with a 29-under performance -- he opened with a pair of 62s to take a nine-shot lead over a talented field. A consistent money-maker on the PGA TOUR, Lickliter has over $10 million in career earnings, including four $1 million-plus seasons. His tireless work with the Wounded Warrior Project makes him one of the most respected players on TOUR.
Lickliter Quote: "I was just going out there and playing one shot at a time. Not that anything can happen out here, but anything can happen out here. I just want to go out there next year and do what I did this week. I got a lesson from Bob Toski and Vijay (Singh) recently and I rolled the ball really well all week. The lessons put me in a really good place."

Second place: Brett Rumford, 30
Birthplace: Perth, Australia
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 4 PGA TOUR starts, two cuts; seven Nationwide Tour starts, two top-10s
More: This Australian star has played limited events in the United States but recorded a personal-best finish on the PGA TOUR in 2006 when he finished T16 at the British Open. He won the Omega European Masters this year in dramatic fashion with a chip-in on the first playoff hole to defeat Phillip Archer of England. The win marked the third of his career on the European Tour (2004 Irish Open, 2003 St. Omer Open).

Third place: Chris Stroud, 25
Birthplace: Nederland, Texas
College: Lamar University
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 26 PGA TOUR starts, two top-10s
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 133rd as a rookie on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. He was one of the better ballstrikers on the 2007 PGA TOUR, finishing in the top 100 in driving distance, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, total driving and birdie average. He finished tied for fifth in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for his top outing in 2007.

Fourth Place: Jin Park, 28
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
College: Arizona State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 7 PGA TOUR starts, 1 cut
More: He joins fellow South Korean K.J. Choi on the 2008 PGA TOUR. A slight (5-8, 165 pounds) player with a smooth putting stroke and capable distance, Park missed the cut in his only 2007 PGA TOUR start at the Stanford St. Jude Championship. He had three Nationwide Tour starts and finished tied for eighth in the Cox Classic Presented by Chevrolet. He played bogey-free rounds in the third and fifth rounds to secure his card at the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.
Park Quote: "I felt like I was playing good enough to give it a shot this week. Thank God for the opportunity I had this year. I had my daughter and my wife here with me this week. It all worked out great. Ultimately this is where I want to be. I want to play on the PGA TOUR. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to do that."

Fifth place: Jason Allred, 27
Birthplace: Ashland, Ore.
College: Pepperdine University
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 33 PGA TOUR starts, 9 cuts, finished 74th on the 2007 Nationwide Tour
More: Allred is a big hitter who has scored career third-place finishes on the Nationwide Tour. Putting held him back in 2007, but the Oregon native shot a stunning 64 in the third round of the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to move into contention for a PGA TOUR card. He scored an incredible six eagles in the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, including an eagle on the par-4 ninth in Round 1.

Tied for sixth place: Yong-Eun Yang, 35
Birthplace: Jeju-do, South Korea
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 14 PGA TOUR starts, 8 cuts, made the cut in the 2005 PGA Championship
More: Yang missed the cut in the World Golf Championships-CA Championship but tied for 56th in the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational. He also tied for 30th at the 2007 Masters. He's a four-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour and finished in the top-10 on the Japan Golf Tour money list from 2004-2006, a three-year span in which he claimed four titles on the tour.

Tied for sixth place: Tag Ridings, 33
Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Okla.
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 108 PGA TOUR starts, 8 top-10s
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 168th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. Ridings finished tied for third in the 2007 Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart. His career best was a tie for second in the 2004 Michelin Championship at Las Vegas. He fired five rounds in the 60s to easily regain his card in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.
Ridings Quote: "Thankfully my short game was working for me this week. It feels real good but there is only three weeks left in the year. I was hoping for some rest. But I guess I'm not going to complain. I can rest up in Hawaii. It was a big adjustment going from having status to having to go to second stage this year. Second stage is the cutoff. If you can make it through there, then you will at least have status on the Nationwide Tour. But there are a lot of good players who don't make it through second stage."

Eighth place: Todd Demsey, 35
Birthplace: Ridgewood, N.J.
College: Arizona State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 35 PGA TOUR starts, one top-25 finish, 196 Nationwide Tour starts
More: He underwent a second surgery at the end of the 2003 Nationwide Tour season to remove the remaining 20 percent of a brain tumor diagnosed in 2002. His first surgery was performed in January 2003, just 24 days after his wedding.
Dempsey Quote: "I felt pretty good at the start of the day being one or two outside of the number. I was more comfortable today chasing instead of being one of the leaders. But that all changed on the back nine. When I was 5- or 6-under on the day, then I had something to lose. I played well all day. I just wanted to stay aggressive all day, but that is easier said than done. I wanted to be aggressive no matter where I was at in relation to the field. It is exciting to get my TOUR card. It will be an uphill battle next year, but I can't wait to get started. I'm excited about the opportunity of proving myself out there."

Tied for ninth place: Brad Adamonis, 34
Birthplace: Providence, R.I.
College: Miami (Ohio) University
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 7 PGA TOUR events, 123 Nationwide Tour events with six top-ten finishes and one win
More: His father, Dave, is the golf coach at Johnson and Wales University in North Miami, Fla., and led the team to the 2005 NAIA national championship. His brother, Dave, oversees the United States Challenge Cup of the Junior Golf Organization.
Adamonis Quote: "I tried to concentrate on making good swings and hitting good putts ... that is how I held it together today. My Aunt Kathy (sp?) died this week so it has been an awful week for our family. But I felt her spirit out there with me today. Maybe she willed in a couple of putts for me ... I really feel that. I felt something extra out there with me today. I am so happy right now. I am looking forward to the holidays and spending some good quality time with the family. This feels great to finally be going to the PGA TOUR."

Tied for ninth place: Travis Perkins, 30
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 0 PGA TOUR starts
More: He played in two Nationwide Tour events in 2007 and missed the cut in both. He played in 23 Nationwide Tour events in 2006 and missed the cut in 16 of them. Perkins got off to a hot start in the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament with five straight rounds in the 60s, including a bogey-free 67 in Round 2 and survived a 74 on the final day to secure his card.

Tied for 11th place: Parker McLachlin, 28
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
College: UCLA
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 32 PGA TOUR starts
More: McLachlin nearly kept his PGA TOUR card in 2007, banking over $300,000 in the Fall Series to finish 137th on the money list. One of the best putters on TOUR, McLachlin earned his card via the 2006 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, he fired twin rounds of 67 in rounds 4 and 5 to move into position to keep his card. McLachlin nearly lost his card after opening with a 39 on the front side in the final round, but the Hawaiian racked up four birdies to rally on the home nine.
McLachlin Quote: "Mondays are always tough at this tournament. It is a grind out there. It sure is nice to finish inside the number. I had no idea what the number was, which was probably a good thing."

Tied for 11th place: Kent Jones
Birthplace: Portales, N.M.
College: New Mexico
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 267 PGA TOUR starts with nine top-10 finishes, 87 Nationwide Tour starts with two wins
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 134th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. He traveled with his wife and dog for three years in a recreational vehicle while playing the Canadian Tour (1993-94) and the Hooters Tour (1995).

Tied for 11th place: Cody Freeman
Birthplace: Grove, Okla.
College: Oklahoma
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: One PGA TOUR start, nine Nationwide Tour starts with no wins on either tour
More: He turned pro in 2006, and he plays left-handed. He fired a remarkable nine-birdie 64 in round 5 to move into position to secure his card. He played the final four holes in two-under to finish at 17 under.
Freeman Quote: "It has been a long week. This was my first experience at final stage. I've never played six rounds before. I am definitely happy to have it done. I like the insurance business, but I'm not going to spend a lot of time doing that. I'll take care of the clients that I already have and go out and chase my dream."

Tied for 14th place: Kenneth Ferrie, 29
Birthplace: Ashington, England
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 10 PGA TOUR starts
More: This Englishman is best-known in the United States for his brilliant play in the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, where he finished tied for sixth. He entered the final round tied for the lead and was paired with Phil Mickelson in the final group. He's a two-time winner on the European Tour. He played brilliantly in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, breaking par in every round and scoring 27 birdies and two eagles in 108 holes.
Ferrie Quote: "I played good all week but I played really good today. The course was playing tougher today, and I normally like it to play as tough as possible. In college I watched the PGA TOUR on television and it was always a goal of mine to make it out there. I want to be the best player that I can be, and to do that I need to play against the best players in the world."

Tied for 14th place: Tim Wilkinson, 29
Birthplace: Palmerston North, New Zealand
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: One PGA TOUR start and 83 Nationwide Tour starts, with best finishes of second and third
More: He has also played on the Australasian Tour and won the 2000 New Zealand Amateur Championship. He made only two bogeys in the final two rounds to secure his PGA TOUR card. He rallied after opening with a 73 at Crooked Cat in round 1 and took revenge on the course with a pair of 68s later in the week.
Wilkinson Quote: "I was pretty composed most of the day. Then after the 16th hole I felt pretty comfortable with my position. It is a dream come true to make it to the PGA TOUR. I'm looking forward to getting out there for the first time."

Tied for 14th place: Kevin Streelman, 28
Birthplace: Winfield, Ill.
College: Duke
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: He won the Opelika Classic earlier this year on the Hooters Tour and has three runner-up finishes on that tour over the past three years. He also collected three wins on the Gateway Tour in 2007.
More: He turned some heads in 2005 when he opened the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee with a 5-under 65 (T7) before eventually finishing T29. He was a co-medalist (along with Chris Kirk) at the second stage of PGA TOUR Qualifying School in Maricopa, Ariz. (69-69-67-66-271).
Streelman Quote: "This is huge for me. It has been an amazing week. To finish strong after an ugly mid-back nine was huge. I'm ecstatic. I'm definitely comfortable in my game right now. I turned pro in 2001 and my career has been a steady progression ever since. To be able to play the courses that they play on the PGA TOUR will be huge for my development. This is amazing. I couldn't have a better support system around me and that is a big reason why I'm going to the PGA TOUR next year."

Tied for 14th place: Dustin Johnson, 23
Birthplace: Myrtle Beach, S.C.
College: Coastal Carolina
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: One PGA TOUR start and one Nationwide Tour start
More: He was a member of the victorious 2007 Walker Cup team. He made the most of his three rounds at Panther Lake in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, shooting rounds of 67-67-66 to earn his card by two strokes despite a 74 on the final day at Crooked Creek.

Tied for 14th place: Duffy Waldorf, 45
Birthplace: Los Angeles, Calif.
College: UCLA
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 559 PGA TOUR starts, four victories
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 166th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. A tremendous ballstriker who authored a remarkable rally in the final two days of the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to keep his card, Waldorf fired rounds of 65-66 on the final two days, and he didn't make a bogey on the final 45 holes of the tournament. His 66 on the final day moved him from 42nd into a tie for 14th.
Waldorf Quote: "Now I know what those marathoners have to go through. It was exciting but a lot of hard work. It definitely made me realize I still have a chance (re: coming back in the final three rounds). The advantage of six rounds is that if you fall behind early you still have time to make up some ground."

Tied for 19th place: Richard S. Johnson, 31
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 138 PGA TOUR starts, 10 top-10s
More: He lost his PGA TOUR card after finishing 165th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. A short but extremely accurate driver of the ball, Johnson struggled with his putting in 2007. With over $3 million in career earnings, Johnson is best-known for finishing second in the Bank of America Colonial in 2006. The Swede came through in the clutch in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, playing the last six holes in three under to secure his card. He eagled the 17th hole at Crooked Cat to score his second consecutive 68. It was his only eagle of the tournament.
Johnson Quote: "I switched from blades to cavity backs two days before second stage and my friends thought I was crazy. But I'm hitting my irons so good right now ... it seems so easy that I feel like I'm cheating. I was glad to get to 15-under, it is always good to have a little cushion at this tournament coming down the stretch."

Tied for 19th place: Jim McGovern, 42
Birthplace: Teaneck, N.J.
College: Old Dominion
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 353 PGA TOUR starts with one win and 65 top-25 finishes, 190 Nationwide Tour starts with three wins and five second place finishes
More: His brother, Rob, played as a linebacker in the NFL. Jim and his family were honored with the Metropolitan Golf Writers Family of the Year Award for 1996. He opened with blazing rounds of 68-66-68 to give himself room for error on the weekend in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.
McGovern Quote: "This is unbelievable. It feels awesome to be going back to the PGA TOUR. I can't tell you how good of a holiday it is going to be for us."

Tied for 19th place: Carlos Franco, 42
Birthplace: Asuncion, Paraguay
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 232 PGA TOUR starts with four wins, one second-place finish and five third-place finishes
More: He grew up in poverty in Paraguay where his family of nine shared a one-room, dirt-floor home, but his father was a greens superintendent and caddie at a course in Asuncion, and he and all five of his brothers became golf professionals. He regained his card with a solid performance in the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament; he broke par in every round to secure his card by two shots.
Franco Quote: "My focus was good today. I play better in the wind and it was playing a little tougher today. I used my mentality and my experience. I saved a nice par on No. 13 and then came back with a birdie on the next hole. That was a big stretch for me there. I played well this week. I had big nerves today. But you have to have nerves. If you aren't nervous then you don't try hard enough."

Tied for 19th place:Tommy Gainey, 32
Birthplace: Bishopville, S.C.
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: One PGA TOUR start with no wins and four Nationwide Tour starts with one top-10 finish
More: He made over $100,000 in earnings on the Tarheel Tour in 2006 and 2007 combined, including three wins and 13 top-five finishes in that span. His nickname is Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey because, well, he wears two gloves.
Gainey Quote: "It feels great because now I'm considered one of the best players in the world but based on how I hit it today I've got a lot of work to do. Q-School is tougher than words can express. You just have to go with what you have and trust it. I'm really disappointed in shooting 77 out there today but I'm looking forward to Hawaii."

Tied for 23th place: Bob Sowards, 39
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 10 career PGA TOUR starts
More: He won the 2004 PGA Club Professional Championship. He shot par or better in every round of the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament to secure his card for the first time. He bogeyed the 16th hole on the final day to drop out of contention only to eagle the 17th to get his card. He shot par or better in all six rounds.
Sowards Quote: "I knew I had to get to 13-under to have any chance. Anything over that would be even better. I am very proud of myself. I played great all week and I'm thrilled to be going to the PGA TOUR."

Tied for 23th place: John Merrick, 25
Birthplace: Long Beach, Calif.
College: UCLA
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 30 PGA TOUR starts with one top-10 finish, 40 Nationwide Tour finishes with one win and four top-10 finishes
More: In 2006, he improved his Priority Ranking status for a rookie campaign on TOUR with T4 finish at q-school, becoming the first player to improve his status through q-school.

Tied for 23th place: Alejandro Canizares, 24
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
College: Arizona State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 3 PGA TOUR starts, two cuts, tied for 13th in the 2007 Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun.
More: Canizares is the son of four-time Ryder Cup player Jose Maria Canizares and won the 2003 NCAA Championship while starring at Arizona State University. He won the 2006 Imperial Collection Russian Open in just his third start as an affiliate member of the European Tour. Played in six events on the European Tour to finish his 2007 season, with his best finish coming at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano, where he finished solo second.
Canizares Quote: ""Was that last putt three feet? It seemed much longer. The situation made it a much tougher putt than it really was. I was lucky and happy that it went in. Hopefully I'm in. If I am, I just want to play good next year and have fun and get the best out of the experience that I can."

Tied for 23rd place: David Lutterus, 22
Birthplace: Adelaide, Australia
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: No PGA TOUR starts, 12 Nationwide Tour starts with a best finish of second place
More: He also has experience on the Australasian Tour, and, when he was 21, he held a two-shot lead over the field after day one at the Jacob's Creek Open Championship, which is co-sanctioned by the Nationwide Tour and the Australasian Tour, before eventually finishing solo second.