Former Tennessee Vol Bryce Lewis is tied for third at the PGA Tour Q-School Second Stage qualifier in Valdosta, Ga.
photo by Contributed
There is a quiet confidence about Bryce Lewis that defies logic considering his age, an air of expectation that success is well within his reach despite his relative lack of experience at the professional level.
The Hendersonville native built quite an impressive body of work during his six seasons at the University of Tennessee that concluded last spring. Lewis, 24, was a three-time All-SEC second team selection and a member of the PING All-Southeast Region list for four years. The 2022 Tennessee Golf Association Men’s Player of the Year also earned All-America honorable mention plaudits from both Golfweek and PING his final season.
After placing 22nd in PGA Tour University rankings to earn full status on the final 10 events on the PGA Americas Tour, Lewis continued his streak of success in Canada this fall with four top 25 finishes including a tie for 5th and a solo runner-up placement.
So it’s no surprise that that lefty entered this week’s Second Stage qualifier of the PGA Tour Q-School presented by Korn Ferry at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga. with high expectations. He’s proven in short order that he belongs among the game’s best.
Lewis carded a 4-under par 68 on Wednesday with five birdies offset by a lone bogey to finish in a three-way tie for 3rd at 4-under 140 that also includes Knoxville native Kyle Cottam at the halfway point of the 72-hole event.
“I’ve been able to value each shot, remaining disciplined and being patient so far,” Lewis said. “It all added up to a good round today. I putted pretty well, but to be honest I didn’t make everything. I hit the ball really solid and gave myself probably 12 good looks at birdie.”
The stakes are elevated in that the top 16 finishers plus ties will advance to the Final Stage event slated for Dec. 13-16 at TPC Sawgrass’ Dye’s Valley Course along with Sawgrass Country Club. But Lewis isn’t fazed by the opportunity to secure his 2025 professional status with a good showing in Valdosta.
“I’m not really a situational guy,” Lewis said. “Nothing really changes for me because it’s Q-School. Honestly, I’m trying to win the golf tournament more than anything. If things don't work out, then who cares. All you can do is try your hardest because I realize I am pretty fortunate to do this for a living.”
After his stellar career with the Vols, Lewis’ success in Canada served as a helpful introduction of what life on the professional tour entails.
“It was a really good learning experience for me,” Lewis said. “Just to see what every week is like, how to handle your preparation and getting used to travel. I'm glad I went up there, but hopefully I won’t be going back. I’ve got bigger expectations for next year.”
Lewis hopes to earn his way to Final Stage, where the top five finishers secure their 2025 PGA Tour card and the next 40 gain exempt status on the Korn Ferry Tour for either 12 or eight events depending upon placement. All remaining finishers at Final Stage earn conditional status for the 2025 Korn Ferry Tour season, in addition to being exempt through the Latin America Swing of the 2025 PGA TOUR Americas season.
Cottam, who played at Clemson in college, shot 6-under 66 on Wednesday to move up 22 spots on the leaderboard into 3rd at 4-under 140. He recorded seven birdies against a lone bogey during his impressive round that was second best among all golfers for the day.
Knoxville’s Ryan Hall, a former South Carolina golfer, is tied for 12th at even par 144 after his second straight round of 72. Maryville’s Harry Lord and Dawson Armstrong sit at 2-over 146 thru two days, good for a tie for 22nd.
Former UT golfer Hunter Wolcott struggled to a 5-over 77 on Wednesday, dropping 29 spots to stand in a tie for 34th at 4-over 148, equaling the two-day total of Chattanooga native Scott Stevens, who played at South Carolina
Other golfers with Volunteer State connections competing are Spencer Cross of Sevierville at 5-over 149 (T43), while Kingsport’s William Nottingham and Knoxville’s Jake Mynatt are among a group at 6-over 150 (T50).
Cross earned medalist honors at his First Stage qualifier in Nebraska, assuring him of exemption on the Latin America Swing of the 2025 PGA Tour Americas season at a minimum regardless of his finish this week.
In the Second Stage event at the RTJ Golf Trail in Dothan, Ala., Dickson’s Billy Tom Sargent equaled the low round of the day with a 7-under 65 to climb 39 places, finishing at 4-under 140 at the midway point good for 9th place.
“I just stuck to my game plan today and hit the ball a lot better than yesterday,” said Sargent, 28, who played at Western Kentucky in college and has 39 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour in his career. “I gave myself a bunch of birdie looks. I’ll stick with the plan these next two days and stay focused on every shot.”
Owen Stamper, a Scottsville, Ky. native who graduated from MTSU last spring, put together another strong showing with a 3-under 69 to remain in a 9th place tie at 5-under 139 to put himself in good position to be among the 17 golfers plus ties to advance.
Former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga standout John Houk of Athens rebounded with a round of 5-under 67 to move up 31 spots and stands at 1-under 143 (T30). Brentwood’s Trevor Johnson, who played at Louisville in college, shot 4-under 68 to finish at even par 144 (T38). Paul Conroy, a native of Ireland who graduated from UTC this year, struggled with a 7-over 79 to find himself at 10-over 154 in 76th place.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com