In the three Elite Series tournaments this year, Ott DeFoe already has finished 13th twice, missing the Top 12 cut by one ounce each time. He also was 13th at Lake Martin.
Granted, if you make the Top 12 cut, you’ve got a chance to move up on the final day, although only a slim chance to win. The payout difference in 12th place and 13th place is only $500 ($10,500 vs. $10,000). So 13th feels lucky compared to finishing 51st on Day 2.
That’s what happened to both Dean Rojas and Brandon Lester this week. Jake Whitaker took the 50th spot and earned $10,000 with a two-day total of 29-11. Rojas and Lester got nothing for finishing with 29-10. Over two days and a one-ounce difference between $10,000 and zero? That can be maddening.