Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, Nov. 14, 2012– With his dramatic victory at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, 28-year-old rookie Charlie Beljan became the final player to qualify for the 2013 PGA TOUR season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions, to be held at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort, Jan. 3-7, 2013.
Beljan, who suffered from a panic attack during the second round and was almost unable to compete, held on for his first PGA TOUR victory. The performance helped him move from outside the top 125 on the money list and in danger of losing his PGA TOUR card for 2013, to inside the Hyundai Tournament of Champions field and suddenly on the PGA TOUR ballot for Rookie of the Year.
“I was happy that my wife and my baby were here,” said Beljan. “It still isn’t real. Three weeks ago before The Mc Gladrey Classic, I was 150 (on the money list) and hoping to play well so I didn’t have to fly straight from here to Houston for Second Stage. And then I did well at Mc Gladrey. I’m like, beautiful. Now I can go right to Final Stage. Now I don’t have to go to Q‑school for a few years, and I get to go to Hawaii to start the year.”
Beljan will join 36 other PGA TOUR winners who have qualified for the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Beljan is one of four 2012 rookies to qualify joining Jonas Blixt, Ted Potter, Jr. and John Huh. Huh is one of 13 players in their 20s to qualify.
“We have a fantastic list of qualifiers for the kickoff to the 2013 PGA TOUR season,” said Executive Director Nancy Cross. “In one of the most exciting seasons in recent PGA TOUR history, the Hyundai Tournament of Champions will play host to a variety of players from established veterans as well as several of golf’s rising stars.”
Here is the final list of players who have qualified and the tournaments in which they won (players have until Friday, December 28, at 5 p.m. ET to officially commit to play in the event):
Tickets are on sale now, and there are limited Pro-Am spots available. For more info, visit www.pgatour.com/hyundai or call 808-665-9160.