Jonathan Moore, the hero of the 2007 Walker Cup Match, moved a step closer to earning his PGA Tour card for the 2009 season by sharing medalist honors at a first-stage qualifier at Treyburn Country Club in Durham, N.C., this past weekend.

The Vancouver, Wash., native was one of several past Walker Cuppers and USGA champions/runner-ups to advance out of six first-stage sites in the grueling test known as PGA Tour Qualifying School. The second phase of the three-tiered qualifying process takes place later this month at six locations. Those who advance to the finals of Q-School Dec. 3-8 in La Quinta, Calif., are guaranteed no worse than conditional status on the 2009 Nationwide Tour.

Moore, a former Oklahoma State standout, will long be remembered for the 4-iron approach he hit from 252 yards out at the par-5 finishing hole at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland during Sunday singles action at the Walker Cup. The ball stopped 3 feet from the hole, setting up an eagle-3 to clinch the Cup for the USA. Moore turned pro after the Match, but failed to make it through Q-School last fall.

This year, the 23-year-old Moore opened with a 1-over 73, but rallied with three consecutive sub-par rounds over the 7,070-yard layout, including a 2-under 70 in Saturday's final round to share the top spot with Steve Gilley.

Another ex-Walker Cupper also advanced from the Treyburn C.C. site, but just barely. Brock Mackenzie, a member of the 2003 squad, qualified on the number at 3-over 291. Mackenzie, whose sister Paige plays on the LPGA Tour and is a former USA Curtis Cupper, carded a final-round 73.

Lee Williamson, the runner-up to Ryan Moore at the 2002 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, overcame a pair of 79s in rounds one and three, to also advance on the number. Williamson fired a 6-under 66 in the final round.

At Stonebridge Country Club in McKinney, Texas, Charlie Beljan, the 2002 U.S. Junior Amateur champion, tied for 12th at 9-under 279. The former University of New Mexico standout closed with a 66 on the 7,085 course. Also sharing 12th was 2001 U.S. Junior runner-up Richard Scott of Canada. Scott posted a pair of 69s over the final two rounds.

Two Walker Cuppers were among those to advance from the Martin Downs Country Club site in Palm City, Fla. Randy Leen (1997) tied for fifth after shooting a 3-under 68 in the final round, while two-time participant Lee Williams (2003 and '05) also shot a final-round 68 to tie for 14th. Williams also competed in the 2004 World Amateur Team Championship and qualified for the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 2007.

Canadian-born Richard Lee, the runner-up at the 2006 U.S. Junior, stunned many by turning pro after his appearance in the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club, but the 17-year-old showed off his skills at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, Texas, by carding a 4-under 68 in the final round to share seventh. Lee withdrew from the '07 Open during the second round with a wrist injury.

Also advancing at Cypresswood was 2005 Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cupper Matt Richardson of England, who tied for 18th at 5-under 283.

Luke List, the runner-up to Ryan Moore at the 2004 U.S. Amateur, tied for 11th at Carlton Oaks Country Club in Santee, Calif., posting even-par 288. The two-time U.S. Open participant (2005 and '07) opened with a 77, but closed with rounds of 71, 69 and 71.

At San Juan Oaks Golf Club in Hollister, Calif., 2005 U.S. Amateur runner-up Dillon Dougherty tied for 15th at 9-under 279. The former Northwestern University standout posted a 3-under 69 in the final round.

Several notables also failed to advance, including two past USGA champions. Matt Rosenfield (2000 U.S. Junior) missed at Stonebridge Ranch, while Casey Watabu (2006 U.S. Amateur Public Links) failed to qualify at San Juan Oaks. Watabu beat current PGA Tour sensation and 2005 Walker Cupper Anthony Kim in the '06 APL final, while Rosenfield beat future three-time USGA champion and current PGA Tour player Ryan Moore.

Other notables who failed to advance were Edward Loar (1999 Walker Cup), Martin Ureta (2005 APL runner-up), John Kelly (2006 U.S. Amateur runner-up), Robert Hamilton (2001 U.S. Amateur runner-up) and Manuel Villegas, the younger brother of 1999 U.S. Junior runner-up and current PGA Tour star Camilo Villegas.

A total of 12 sites were used for first-stage qualifying. Two USGA champions (Eric Meeks and Clay Ogden) and three Walker Cuppers (Erik Compton, Joel Kribel and Adam Rubinson) had already advanced at qualifiers held Oct. 21-24.

David Shefter is a USGA Digital Media staff writer. E-mail him with questions or comments at dshefter@usga.org.