Baryla wins, Percy 3rd in Chattanooga
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2009 Chattanooga Classic | Round Four | 12 Oct 2009
Canadian golfer Chris Baryla has won his first Nationwide Tour title with a one shot victory over American Troy Kelly at the Chattanooga Classic and in doing so will be a PGA Tour player in 2009.
Baryla will earn US$90,000 for his winning share of the purse and move to US$184,000 which appears more than enough to finish inside the top 25 in two weeks time.
The 26 year old Baryla led by two over Kyle Reifers into the final round today but bogeys at the opening two holes opened the door for many others. By the 10th Baryla had added four birdies and had control again. Despite a double bogey at the 12th and a bogey at the last he had done enough to hold on and win by one.
Sharing third position were Australian Cameron Percy and Americans Vance Veazey and David Branshaw.
Adam Bland was the next best of the Australians after Percy, finishing in a share of 11th and improving his chances of making his way to the PGA Tour in 2010. Bland is currently in 36th position on the money list although this week’s effort should move him up three or four places.
Bland will therefore be at worst a graduate to the final stage of Q School and be guaranteed full status on next year’s Nationwide Tour money list but with two events still to play he will still fancy his chances of gaining his USPGA Tour card through finishing inside the top 25 on the money list.
David McKenzie and Scott Gardiner finished 36th, Steve Bowditch 49th, Gavin Coles 59th and Bradley Iles 65th.
