Citi Mentor Program

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For many golfers, surviving q-school is just the first step in fulfilling their dreams...

Badz/PGA TOUR

From left, Parker McLachlin, Jin Park, Captain Paul Azinger, Todd Demsey and David Lutterus.

In 1998, Mike Weir, an unknown Canadian, took home medalist honors and hasn't looked back. Weir has eight TOUR victories, including the 2003 masters. He's not only his country's best-ever golfer, but one of its most popular athletes.

Woody Austin took top honors at the 1994 q-school. While his three TOUR wins are a highlight, the splash he made at the 2007 Presidents Cup just may be his defining moment. Following his swim at 14, Austin birdied the last three holes to gain a crucial ½ point in his match. His performance helped Team USA get it done as they won the Presidents Cup in dominating fashion.

Paul Azinger won q-school in 1984, went on to win 12 PGA TOUR events and is now the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup captain. But Zinger has not forgotten his q-school roots. In partnership with Citi, he will serve as a mentor for a foursome of the TOUR's aspiring newcomers.

Each year, Citi will select four recent graduates of q-school and along with captain Azinger, will help guide them through their upcoming season on TOUR.

Follow the inaugural team that includes Hawaii's Aloha Kid, Parker McLachlin, international up & comer, Jin Park, the big hitter from down under, David Lutterus, and the inspirational comeback story of Todd Demsey, as they try to turn their dreams into reality.

MEET THE CAPTAIN

Name: Paul Azinger
Birthplace: Holyoke, Mass.
College: Brevard Junior College, Florida State University
More: Azinger, one of the most respected figures in the game, medaled at q-school in 1984 and has 12 TOUR titles. He is also the captain of the 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. "I am honored to be the captain of Citi's mentor program," said Azinger. "I look forward to helping these players reach their full potential on the PGA TOUR."

MEET THE INAUGURAL TEAM

Name: Parker McLachlin
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
College: UCLA
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 32 PGA TOUR starts
More: McLachlin nearly kept his PGA TOUR card in 2007, banking over $300,000 in the Fall Series to finish 137th on the money list. One of the best putters on TOUR, McLachlin earned his card via the 2006 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament. In the 2007 PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament, he fired twin rounds of 67 in rounds 4 and 5 to move into position to keep his card. McLachlin nearly lost his card after opening with a 39 on the front side in the final round, but the Hawaiian racked up four birdies to rally on the home nine.

Name: Jin Park
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
College: Arizona State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: 7 PGA TOUR starts, 1 cut
More: He joins fellow South Korean K.J. Choi on the 2008 PGA TOUR. A slight (5-8, 165 pounds) player with a smooth putting stroke and capable distance, Park missed the cut in his only 2007 PGA TOUR start at the Stanford St. Jude Championship. He had three Nationwide Tour starts and finished tied for eighth in the Cox Classic Presented by Chevrolet. He played bogey-free rounds in the third and fifth rounds to secure his card at the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.

Name: David Lutterus
Birthplace: Adelaide, Australia
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: Yes
Experience: No PGA TOUR starts, 12 Nationwide Tour starts with a best finish of second place
More: He also has experience on the Australasian Tour, and, when he was 21, he held a two-shot lead over the field after day one at the Jacob's Creek Open Championship, which is co-sanctioned by the Nationwide Tour and the Australasian Tour, before eventually finishing solo second.

Name: Todd Demsey
Birthplace: Ridgewood, N.J.
College: Arizona State
2008 PGA TOUR Rookie: No
Experience: 35 PGA TOUR starts, one top-25 finish, 196 Nationwide Tour starts
More: He underwent a second surgery at the end of the 2003 Nationwide Tour season to remove the remaining 20 percent of a brain tumor diagnosed in 2002. His first surgery was performed in January 2003, just 24 days after his wedding.
Watch: Demsey returns to the TOUR.