Ordinarily, an amateur qualifier for a PGA Tour event warrants scant (or no) attention, but the qualifier Saturday for what used to be called the Buick Invitational produced some intrigue based on the ensuing duel between players with familiar last names and their player/coach relationship.
Gunner Wiebe, a junior at the University of San Diego, shot a three-under par 69 on the South Course at Torrey Pines, as did Tim Mickelson, his coach at the University of San Diego, to top the 100-man field vying for one spot in the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines at the end of January. Wiebe is the son of Champions Tour player Mark Wiebe, while Mickelson is the brother of PGA Tour star Phil Mickelson.
They went to a sudden-death playoff and were still tied after four extra holes, when play was suspended because of darkness. The two won't continue the playoff until a predetermined day in January, according to a news release on the qualifier.
-- John Strege
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