The Watson Challenge field is comprised of the best 48 golfers from the Kansas City Area. Those exempt into the field are the top 18 on The Midwest PGA Rankings, top 16 on The Central Links Amateur List, top 5 from the 2019 Watson Challenge, Watson Challenge winners from the previous 5 years, the host course club champion as well as club pro. The rest of the field is comprised of special exemptions and qualifiers.
On May 17 at Falcon Ridge Golf Club, 41 players competed in the Watson Challenge Qualifier for a chance to compete in the Watson Challenge the first week of June. Falcon Ridge Golf Course played extra-long due to heavy rains the day prior.
The 41 players at Falcon Ridge were qualifying for three spots and two alternates. Clay Ederer got off to a hot start birding 4 of the first 7 holes and taking the early lead. He would face some adversity on the back nine but would finish with a 71(-1). 71 was good enough to qualify for one of the three spots. Daniel Gutgesell came into 17th hole one over par; however, he would turn it on and birdie the last two. Gutgesell finished his round one under to claim the second of the three spots.
To claim the last spot, a playoff was contested between Dustin Nichols, Michael Greene, Cade Uhlenhake who shot 72(E). Michael Greene claimed the third and final qualifying spot with a 20 foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole. Cade Uhlenhake had to take a penalty stroke for a lost ball and lost the third playoff hole with a bogey to Dustin Nichols. Nichols is first alternate and Uhlenhake second alternate.
The Watson Challenge will be held June 4th thru June 6th at the National Golf Club. Clay Ederer, Daniel Gutgesell, and Michael Greene claimed their spot in the field and if they are unable to compete, then first alternate Dustin Nichols will fill their shoes. If Dustin Nichols is unable to compete, Cade Uhlenhake will fill their shoes.