Pressure builds on Nationwide Tour
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 WNB Golf Classic | Preview | 23 Sep 2009
The Nationwide Tour is in Midland in Texas this week for the WNB Golf Classic at the Midland Golf Club. It was at this venue in 2008 where Marc Leishman won this event by a massive 11 shots, securing his path to the PGA Tour where this week he confirms a stunning rookie season by playing the Tour Championship.
With just this week’s event and four more before the PGA Tour hand out the cards to the 25 leading Nationwide Tour players, every shot becomes critical not only for those struggling to finish inside the top 25 but also those already assured of PGA Tour status in 2010 and looking to finish as high as possible on the money list.
Milestones players are looking for outside of the top 25 are to finish inside the top 40 in order to advance directly to the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying and inside the top 60 to be guaranteed full status on the Nationwide Tour in 2010 should they not succeed at PGA Tour School.
Blake Adams again gets the nod as the man most likely this week. He has been a model of consistency all season and is already on his way to the PGA Tour but a win would put the icing on the cake. He led nearly all the way last week in Boise before Fran Quinn claimed the title from under his nose.
PGA Tour player Jonathan Kaye is in the field not doubt looking to sharpen his game for the Fall Series. He played well last week especially early in the event in Idaho and could do well against this field.
Tom Gillis has been quite sensational in the last few months finishing inside the top ten in six of his last seven starts including when winning the Nationwide Tour Players Cup. He should do well again.
Australian Andrew Buckle has found some great form in the past few weeks fighting his way back inside the all important 25 (24th). He could well go on with it this week. The last time he played this event he finished 4th in 2007 and on a golf course where he clearly has a comfort zone a big week would not surprise.
Other Australasians are Cameron Percy, Steve Alker, Adam Bland, Steve Bowditch, Stuart Deane, Nick Flanagan, Scott Gardiner, Paul Gow, Bradley Iles, Won Joon Lee, David McKenzie, Alistair Presnell, Andre Stolz, Phil Tataurangi and Grant Waite.
