The Next Step

Yannik Paul still has some unfinished business as a college golfer at the University of Colorado, but he’s already in the midst of planning ahead.

The senior (pictured), who owns CU’s top stroke average this season (70.19), was named the program’s first men’s first-team All-Pac-12 selection earlier this week even as he was trying to set himself up for his first summer as a pro.

On Friday, Paul finished up play at the final PGA Tour Canada Q-school event of the year, in Courtenay, B.C., Canada. And, like his twin brother Jeremy last month, Yannik Paul earned conditional status for PGA Tour Canada in 2018.

After struggling in the final round on Friday, Yannik placed 30th out of a 132-man field in the four-day event. Paul went 71-64-73-76 for a 4-under-par 284 total.

The top 16 finishers — no ties — gained at least some exempt status for 2018, while those in the 17th through 40th positions received conditional status. 

Left for Paul at CU before he turns pro are the NCAA Regionals and, if he or the Buffs qualify, the NCAA Finals.Ӭ

In previous PGA Tour Canada Q-school events this year, Coloradan Michael Schoolcraft earned some exempt status, while brother Beau Schoolcraft, Jeremy Paul, former Colorado State University golfer Blake Cannon and A.J. Morris of Aspen landed conditional spots.

The 2018 PGA Tour Canada season will begin on May 31.

Here are the round-by-round scores for both of this week’s PGA Tour Canada Q-school competitors with strong Colorado ties:

30. CU senior Yannik Paul 71-64-73-76–284
Failed to Qualify
43. CSU senior Colton Yates 74-70-71-72–287

(Updated May 5 from Golden State Tour): Meanwhile, former University of Denver golfer Chris Gilman rallied in Saturday’s final round to finish second Saturday in the Golden State Tour’s Avondale Open in Palm Desert, Calif.

Gilman fired a 6-under-65 to post a 15-under 198 total, which left him one stroke behind winner Matt Hansen of Los Osos, Calif. 

Gilman eagled the par-4 12th hole and added six birdies on Saturday, but a bogey on the 17th proved costly as Hansen birdied No. 18.

Gilman has won once on the Golden State Tour in 2018, while recording two second-place finishes and one third.