Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, still pursuing a career in professional golf, has advanced to the final stage of PGA Tour Champions qualifying by virtue of his tie for 14th in first stage qualifying at Buckhorn Springs in Valrico, Fla.
Smoltz, 56, had rounds of 71, 73, 74 and 71, a one-over total of 289 at Buckhorn Springs. The final stage will be held Dec. 5-8 at the TPC Scottsdale’s Champions course. Eighty players will be vying for five PGA Tour Champions cards.
He has had nine senior starts previously, but none since 2021. He also played in the 2018 U.S. Senior Open at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he opened with a 15-over par 85 and missed the cut.
Smoltz, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, plays to a +1.3 handicap index at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
