Tauranga professional Josh Geary has celebrated his birthday today (NZT) by making a solid start to the second stage of qualifying for next year's PGA Tour.
The 28-year-old, who has played only five events on the web.com Tour this year, carded a two-under par 70 at the TPC Craig Ranch in Texas to be in a share of 24th place after round one.
Geary, who has finished as the leading Kiwi for the past three years at the New Zealand Open, is four shots back from former NZ Open champion Nathan Green and Matt Jones.
The two-time winner on the Charles Tour knows he needs to finish as high as possible in the four-round event to secure his place at final stage as the number of qualifying positions will be announced during second qualifying stage.
New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee, who finished 159th on the Fed Ex Cup standings, will begin his quest to regain his PGA Tour card tomorrow at the Bear Creek Golf Club in Californian alongside Hamilton pro Steven Alker.
Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson, who finished 57th on the web.com Tour order of merit, will begin his attempt to return to the PGA Tour at the Second Stage at the Hombre Golf Club at Panama City in Florida also tomorrow.
