Sim gets another chance in Columbus
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Nationwide Childrens Hospital Invitational | Preview | 30 Jul 2009
Michael Sim gets another chance to graduate to the PGA Tour this week when he tees it up at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.
Played at the original Alistair McKenzie designed Ohio State University’s Golf Club, the tournament is in its third year having been won by Daniel Summerhays and Bill Lunde in its first two years. Summerhays was an amateur when he won in 2007. The golf course was redesigned by Columbus’ favourite golfing son Jack Nicklaus in 2005.
Sim’s two victories earlier this season have created the opportunity via the Battlefield Promotion category for one further win to provide immediate graduation to the PGA Tour. After a one month break following his solid week at the US Open, Sim led into the final round of last week’s event in Nebraska before finishing 7th. He should be improved by that effort and another good week can be expected.
Alex Prugh and Garth Mulroy both had good tournaments in this event last year and are playing well enough this season to again feature.
Scott Gardiner has begun to play well of late and does have two good finishes in this event. He is a player capable of more than his recent form would indicate and a big week would not surprise anyone in my opinion.
Other Australasians in the field are Cameron Percy, Gavin Coles, David McKenzie, Andrew Buckle, Adam Bland, Brad Iles, Grant Waite, Steve Alker, Phil Tataurangi, Won Joon Lee, Paul Gow, Alistair Presnell, Andrew Bonhomme, Stuart Deane and former World Junior Champion Matthew Giles.
Giles won the 15 -17 years division of the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego in 2006 and has since played collegiate golf in the US at the University of Southern California who he recently represented at the NCAA Championships. Giles made the Ping All American Team earlier this year.
