Instead of celebrating the fact that he had secured a PGA Tour card for next season, Kiwi golfer Tim Wilkinson was preparing his house for the same hurricane that assured his immediate future in the game.
Wilkinson took the final qualifying spot for the 2017 PGA season after Hurricane Matthew cancelled The Web.com Tour Championship in Jacksonville today.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry ordered an evacuation for the beaches near Jacksonville, including Atlantic Beach, and the PGA Tour felt it had little choice but to scratch the tournament so everyone could get out of town.
The cancellation meant Wilkinson finished in the 25th spot and final qualifying place, edging American Rob Oppenheim by US$392 (NZ$546). A year ago, Oppenheim got the final card by US$101.
Wilkinson, who already had an exemption to play in a number of events on the PGA Tour, didn't have time to reflect on securing the full tour card. Jacksonville is his hometown so he had other things on his mind.