Breakdown of final-stage field

Here's a quick analysis of the 173 players in the field at this week's Q-school Finals.

MOST FINAL STAGE APPEARANCES

Chris Tidland is making his 13th appearance in the final stage, most of any player in the field. Seven others also are making double-digit appearances in the final stage. Here's the breakdown of the players with the most final-stage appearances since 1990 (including this year):

13 - Chris Tidland

12 - Dicky Pride, Omar Uresti

11 - Shane Bertsch, Paul Claxton, Marco Dawson, Kent Jones

10 - Bob Heintz

9 - Darron Stiles

8 - Guy Boros, Glen Day, Jason Gore, Jeff Gove, Mathias Gronberg, Bob May

7 - Steve Allan, Doug Barron, Josh Broadaway, Carlos Franco, Shaun Micheel, Patrick Sheehan, Roland Thatcher

6 - Tommy Armour III, Scott Dunlap, Robert Gamez, Brenden Pappas, Tag Ridings, Anthony Rodriguez, Brian Smock, Scott Sterling, Dean Wilson

5 - Brad Adamonis, Camilo Benedetti, Clark Dennis, Richard S. Johnson, Matt Jones, Cliff Kresge, Len Mattiace, Scott Parel, Jesse Schutte, Aaron Watkins, Boo Weekley, Brett Wetterich, Ron Whittaker, Tim Wilkinson

FIRST TIME IN THE FINAL STAGE

There are 54 players making their first apperance in the final stage of Q-school. Included in that group are Harris English, who won a Nationwide Tour event this year as an amateur; Luke List, a runner-up to Ryan Moore at the 2004 U.S. Amateur; and Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Of the 173 players in the field ...

• Seven advanced through the first three stages (pre-qualifying, first stage, second stage) - Erik Flores, Paul Haley, Glenn Northcutt, Wes Roach, Jesse Schutte, Gator Todd and Travis Wadkins.

• 67 players advanced through the first and second stages

• 60 players advanced through the second stage

• 20 players were exempt to the final stage thanks to their status on the Nationwide Tour money list

• 15 players were exempt to the final stage thanks to their status on the PGA TOUR money list

• Four players were exempt to the final stage thanks to their status on various international tours