Jim Knous of Englewood birdied his first four holes, later added an eagle and another birdie, and shot a 5-under-par 67 Tuesday in the first round of a Web.com first-stage qualifying tournament in Lantana, Texas.
The former Colorado School of Mines golfer (pictured) sits one stroke out of the lead and shares fourth place with three rounds remaining in the tournament. After Friday’s final round, the top 24 finishers and ties will advance to stage 2 of the three-stage qualifying process for the Web.com Tour.
Also in the top 25 after the first round are two former Colorado Open champions, Zahkai Brown (70, 21st place) and Derek Tolan (71, 25th place). Brown had conditional status on the 2016 Web.com Tour, but played in just two events.
Coloradans Gunner Wiebe and Nick Mason advanced to the second stage of Q-school at first-stage tournaments last week.
Five more first-stage tourneys will be held next week.
Here are the results of players with strong Colorado connections at Q-school tournaments that started on Tuesday:
Lantana, Texas (top 24 finishers and ties advance to second stage)
4. Jim Knous of Englewood 67
21. Zahkai Brown of Arvada 70
25. Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch 71
Maricopa, Ariz. (top 25 finishers and ties advance to second stage)
42. Nick Hodge of Littleton 72
71. Dustin Mills of Broomfield 75
