Newcomb’s low round came during qualifying at Quail Crossing GC in Evansville, IN, where he secured one of 14 spots into this week’s United Leasing Championship at Victoria National GC. Play begins Thursday and concludes Sunday.

Qualifying was also conducted at Old Vincennes GC in Vincennes, IN.

Newcomb, a senior-to-be from Benton, KY, just won his second straight Kentucky State Amateur title last week and kept his good play going Monday. He and five others that shot 63 had a playoff for four spots in the field of the main event. Newcomb said the he nearly hit his drive on the first playoff hole out of bounds, but eventually saved par making a long putt to stay in the hunt. Newcomb birdied the second extra hole and was clear when two other golfers made bogey to drop out.

Several other former Racer golfers were in the field playing as professionals including Nick Newcomb, Patrick’s brother who was one shot from being in the playoff with a 64. Other former MSU players in the field included: Mitchell Moore (Hopkinsville, KY) 65, Jared Wolfe (Louisville, KY) 66, Cameron Carrico (Owensboro, KY) 68 and Hunter Ford (Paducah, KY) 71.

“I’m really playing well right now,” Newcomb said via phone from Evansville Monday evening. “I’m driving the ball well, getting it on the green and making some putts, so I’m having a lot of fun. This will be a great experience to play in a Nationwide Tour event.”

With his plans suddenly changed from driving home to Benton Monday night, to staying in the Evansville area, Newcomb will play a practice round Tuesday at Victoria National and prepare to tee it up in the first round on Thursday.

Patrick Newcomb is the first Racer to make it into a field of the Nationwide Tour since Nick Newcomb qualified for the same tour last August at the News Sentinel Open in Chattanooga, TN.