Byrd falls back in third round of PGA Tour Q-School Finals

Murrells Inlet resident Zack Byrd fell further back in the pack in Friday’s third round of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament Finals at PGA West in LaQuinta, Calif.

Byrd shot a 1-over-par 73 on the Nicklaus Tournament Course to drop from a tie for 108^th to a tie for 134^th at 3-over 219, and has three rounds to make up ground and improve his money-earning opportunities in 2012.

Will Claxton, who began the 2011 season on the Grand Strand-based NGA Hooters Tour, leads the $1 million, 172-player tournament by two shots at 3-under 203.

Byrd began on the 10^th hole Friday and bogeyed the 16^th and eighth holes while making a birdie on the fifth.

The top 25 players and ties at the conclusion of Monday’s sixth and final round earn 2012 PGA Tour playing cards, the next 50 players and ties earn full Nationwide Tour status in 2012, and the remaining players earn conditional Nationwide status.