PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Lee McCoy of Palm Harbor, FL, birdied the first playoff hole Tuesday for his first professional victory in his first start on the Minor League Golf Tour. McCoy outlasted MLGT veteran Brandon Smith of West Palm Beach, FL, the first round leader, after they tied at 10 under par 134 on the Fazio course at PGA National.

At the Fazio’s short par-5 first hole, McCoy reached the green in two, lipped out a 20-foot eagle putt but tapped in his birdie for the win. Smith was short of the green in two, chipped close but missed a four-foot birdie try that would have extended the playoff.

As an amateur, McCoy, 22, finished fourth at the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship in March at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor. He turned pro shortly thereafter but failed to make a 36-hole cut or cash a check in seven tour starts. McCoy earned $1,600 from the $9,860 purse here. He made five birdies and a bogey Monday, birdied his first four holes Tuesday, adding three more birdies and a lone bogey.

Smith, 34, had 13 birdies and three bogeys in 36 holes. He joined the MLGT in October, 2005, won twice as an amateur, turned pro in January, 2010, and claimed 32 more victories. He received $1,300 from the main purse Tuesday, another $928 from an optional bonus pool and $40 from a skins game for $2,268 on the week, upping his career earnings to $133,007. He finished second among 34 starters in the MLGT’s 78th tournament of the year.

The WEB.com Q-School contest heads to Seagate Country Club for the final 2 days. The low 4-day score for the week will have their 2016 Web.com Q-School paid for by the Minor League Golf Tour. At the halway point Lee McCoy and Brandon Smith are tied at -10 followed by Jhared Hack at -9.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Brandon Smith from West Palm Beach, FL, got off to a red hot start birding 6 of his first 9 holes to open with 30 on the front nine. He made 9 straight pars on the back nine to complete a bogey free 66 on the Fazio course at PGA National Resort and Spa.

Sunny Kim, Jhared Hack and Eric Cole all fired opening rounds of 67 and sit one shot back of Smith.

25 of the 34 participants chose to enter the optional $200 Web.com Q-School contest. The low 4-day score will earn a full paid entry into 2016 Web.com Q-School.

There were 8 skins out worth $40 each. Click on any of the dollar sign links under the skins column to view the results.