Sim waits, Lyle celebrates at PalmettoPride
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2006 PalmettoPride Classic | Final Round | 23 Oct 2006
Michael Sim was just one birdie but twelve hours away from a possible PGA Tour card when darkness brought a halt to proceedings at the PalmettoPride Classic in South Carolina.
Sim had two holes to play at the weather disrupted event and at 12 under par was tied in the lead with Ken Duke, who had finished his round nearly an hour earlier with a final round of 65.
One of the remaining two holes for Sim at the Daniel Island Club’s Ralston Creek course is the par five and so the opportunity to secure the win there is very good indeed. He will resume his round at the 17th at 8.00am local time on Monday.
Clearly the implications for Sim are significant. If he is able to go on and win the event he will move to US$210,000 on the money list and into 18th position with just two events to go. The top twenty players after the Tour Championship in two weeks time have a license to hopefully print money in 2007 on the USPGA Tour. Much is at stake therefore for the 22-year-old from Perth and he was not about to rush things to get his round completed before darkness today.
Duke has the number one position on the money list as his incentive for staying over and getting out of bed early if a playoff is required. A win for Duke would move him well clear of current money leader Johnson Wagner
Another Australian, Jarrod Lyle, however has plenty to celebrate tonight. His last round of 71 has secured him, at worst, third place alone and he is now assured of PGA Tour status in 2007. The US$34,000 he earns will move him to 12th on the money list. He was able to get finished before darkness and can enjoy the night.
Paul Gow crept closer also after his last round of 67 moved him to a share of 11th and to US178,000. He will not gain any places as Sim will pass him but at least he has gained the valuable extra dollars he needs. With two further events to play in season 2006, Gow probably still needs another US$35,000 but the signs were encouraging with today’s five under par round.
