DAYTON, Nev. — Andrew Vijarro, a professional golfer from Bend, is near the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Web.com Tour’s National Qualifying School.

Vijarro, a 24-year-old former Bend High School golf standout, is in a nine-player tie for fourth place after firing a 1-under-par 71 on Tuesday at Dayton Valley Golf Club in the first round of the 72-hole first stage of Q-School. He is only two shots behind leader Dusty Fielding, of Washington, Utah.

Playing in a 75-golfer field, Vijarro is trying to finish among the top 32 golfers and ties. After Friday’s final those players will advance to the second qualifying stage.

Q-School players must grind through 252 holes over three stages to qualify for the Web.com Tour, the PGA Tour’s main developmental circuit. The top 50 golfers in the final qualifying stage in December become full-time Web.com Tour members in 2014.

— Bulletin staff report