Fowler will play Viking Classic, Lovemark to q-school first stage

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Frys.com runners-up Rickie Fowler (left) and Jamie Lovemark (right) will part ways this week. Fowler will play at the Viking Classic, while Lovemark will tee it up at the first stage of q-school.

Prior to last week's Frys.com Open, collegiate All-Americans Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark figured they would need to play in this week's first stage of q-school in pursuit of their TOUR cards for 2010.

But even though both players tied for second at Grayhawk after losing in an exciting two-hole playoff to Troy Matteson on Sunday, they will go their separate ways this week. Lovemark will be among those teeing off in Tuesday's first stage of q-school at Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C. Fowler, meanwhile, will be in the field at the Viking Classic.

Confusing? Perhaps. But it's all about the money.

When the $440,000 Fowler won was added to the cash he made in his pro TOUR debut the previous week, he had a total of $553,700. Since his earnings surpassed those of the player (Todd Hamilton) who finished 150th on last year's money list, Fowler received Special Temporary Membership on the PGA TOUR.

As such, Fowler is exempt into the second stage of q-school -- at the very least. Should he remain inside 150 on the current year's money list when the season ends in three weeks, Fowler gets a free pass all the way to the q-school finals.

Of course, if Fowler finishes the year inside the top 125 of the money list, he would automatically get a TOUR card without having to sweat out q-school. And of course, a win would give him a two-year exemption.

So the former Oklahoma State standout will play in the Viking Classic while Lovemark -- who fell $84,287 shy of working his way inside the top 150 from last year -- heads to the first stage of q-school, albeit with momentum after his fine play in Scottsdale, Ariz.

In addition to the tournament in North Carolina, there are five other first-stage events being held in Georgia, Florida, Texas and California. The second stage features just six events and will be held Nov. 18-21 -- which is the week after the Children's Miracle Network Classic concludes.

The finals, contested over 108 holes, will be held at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., Dec. 2-7. Only the low 25 scores and ties there earn TOUR cards for 2010.