Martin stuck in US fire

ANDREW Martin’s bid to qualify for the US PGA golf tour has been hampered by the fires in California.The former Neangar Park-based golfer is in San Diego at the Carlton Oaks Country Club for the first stage of the US tour school.But the tournament, which was scheduled to tee-off on Wednesday morning (AEST), hasn’t started yet after the California government delayed the start as 18 fires raged across the state killing three people, forcing an estimated 500,000 people to flee their homes and scorching 172,000-hectares of tinder-dry countryside.Martin has been in contact with his mother, Robyn, to let her know he is safe.‘‘We had a phone call from Andrew . . . it was a bad line because of the fires and the smoke, but he said he’s fine,’’ Robyn said.‘‘He’s a bit frustrated by what’s happened, but compared to all the people that have lost their homes, he’s lucky.‘‘The golf course was only about five miles away from a fire . . . and I think it was the government that decided to call the tournament off.‘‘They were hoping to start today, but the fires were still raging.‘‘They’ve just got to sit and wait for the all-clear to start.’’ The former Australian amateur champion needs a high finish at Carlton Oaks to secure his place in stage two of the tour school in mid-November.Five other tournaments making up the first stage of the tour school are already under way across the United States.The delay is a problem for Martin who was scheduled to fly back to Australia over the weekend to play in next week’s $105,000 Queensland PGA at Emerald Lakes Golf Club.‘‘He wants to play in Queensland, but there’s nothing he can do about it,’’ Robyn said.Martin is having his first crack at the world’s biggest golf tour.The 23-year-old is coming of a successful stint on the Gateway Tour in the United States.He played in 12 tournaments, made the cut nine times, with a best place finish of third at Tonto Verde.