USC grad Matt NeSmith advanced to the second stage of Web.com Tour qualifying. (Golfclub File Photo)

USC grad Matt Nesmith has earned a spot in the second stage of the Web.com Tour School. NeSmith, who won the SEC individual title while at South Carolina finished in a tie for 7th at the qualifying tournament at Callaway Gardens.

NeSmith shot four straight rounds of 3-under par 69 for a 276 total. The Q-School tournament was won by David Pastore at 22-under par.

Former Clemson golfer Luke Hopkins also punched his ticket to the second stage after finishing tied for 14th. Hopkins won the 2007 South Carolina Amateur when he was a sophomore at Clemson.

2009 Clemson grad Phillip Mollica from Anderson qualified for the next step towards status on the Web.com Tour in Lakeland, Florida.

Mollica finished third in the tournament at the Grasslands Country Club after shooting 20-under par 268 for the 72 hole tournament.

NeSmith, Hopkins and Mollica will join 2017 US Amateur champ Doc Redman from Clemson, Alabama golfer Jonathan Hardee from Riverside High School and Furman grad Wehman Hopke in advancing to the second stage.

Clemson grad Phillip Mollica from Anderson qualified Lakelands, Florida to advance to the second stage of Q School. (Golfclub File Photo)

One Web.com Q-school tournament has been plagued by weather problems. The Q-School tourney at Kannapolis, NC is a day behind the others because of bad weather.

Playing in the tournament at The Club at Irish Creek are several golfers with area connections.

Former Wofford golfer Andrew Novak is tied for third after the first 36 holes. Novak is 9-under par going into the final 36 holes.

USC grad Keenan Huskey is tied for 8th at 136 while former Clemson golfer Blake Kennedy is tied for 16th at 4-under par.

Furman grad Bryson Howell and USC Upstate former golfer Brad Sill are tied for 30th. Clemson grad Carson Young is tied for 34th.

The top 23 golfers will advance to the second stage. Golfers needed to be at 4-under par to be inside the top-23 after the first two rounds.

Second stage qualifying begins at five locations around the country in early November.