Tidland wins Wichita Open
BY Bruce Young | Web.com Tour | 2009 Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open | Round Four | 10 Aug 2009
A dramatic final hole eagle at the Preferred Health Systems Wichita Open has given Chris Tidland his first win of the 2009 Nationwide Tour season but along with a series of consistent finishes this season, the victory has confirmed his right to play on the PGA Tour next season.
36-year-old Tidland had been a runner up twice earlier this year and appeared set for another until his final hole heroics. The victory followed up two very good weeks in Nebraska and Ohio where top ten finishes signalled something even better was close at hand.
Tidland will join the PGA Tour for the third time in 2010 having played there in 2001 and 2007. He has a best finish of only 6th on the PGA Tour but with the confidence of such a good season this year and the greater maturity his game now appears to have, he will be much better prepared in 2010.
David Schultz and Chad Collins tied for second but had been gazumped by Tidland who played ahead of them on the final day. Both birdied their final hole but they needed something more if they were to force the playoff.
Third round leader Jhonattan Vegas double bogeyed his first hole and although he fought back late to finish in a tie for fourth the damage was done for the Venezuelan, a rookie on the Nationwide Tour this season.
The leading Australasian was Scott Gardiner who is building consistency in recent weeks. His final round of 66 moved him to a share of 9th position only his second top ten of the season but it continues a good run of events of late.
Alistair Presnell and Stuart Deane finished 17th, David McKenzie 23rd, first round leader Andre Stolz was 26th, with Stephen Dartnall and Gavin Coles 38th.
The Nationwide Tour will now play the Price Cutter Charity Classic in Springfield, Missouri.
