Nationwide Tour in Panama
BY Bruce Young | Web.com Tour | 2010 Panama Claro Open | Preview | 24 Feb 2010
The Nationwide Tour is back in action this week when the Panama Claro Championship is played at the Club de Golf de Panama in the Republic of Panama.
The tournament is being played for the 7th occasion, two previous winners, Miguel Carballo and Scott Dunlap in this year’s field.
With two events having been played this season on the Nationwide Tour, both winners to date, Robert Gates and Jim Herman, are here to advance their cause as they seek graduation to the PGA Tour in 2011 or perhaps earlier should they win two further events before seasons’ end.
Herman is an interesting contender in that he played well in this event last year when finishing in a share of 4th position. Herman won the Moonah Classic two weeks ago in Victoria, Australia and although he missed the cut a week earlier in New Zealand he brings both confidence and course experience to this week’s event. A win this week would guarantee Herman PGA Tour status in 2011.
The field includes 13 Australasians. Adam Bland, Andrew Buckle, Gavin Coles, Nick Flanagan, Scott Gardiner, Mark Hensby, Bradley Iles, Stephen Leaney, Won Joon Lee, Jarrod Lyle, Ewan Porter, Alistair Presnell and Phil Tataurangi.
Hensby and Lyle played well in last week’s PGA Tour event in Mexico and Alistair Presnell arrives in Panama following a last round 60 to win the Victorian PGA Championship.
