Pressure builds on Nationwide Tour
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2007 Utah Energy Solutions Championship | Preview | 06 Sep 2007
The Nationwide Tour returns from a week’s break to play the Utah Energy Solutions Championship in Sandy, Utah.
The Willow Creek Country Club will play host to the event for the 9th occasion, the William Neff layout measuring 7104 yards.
With eight events, including this week, remaining on the 2007 Nationwide Tour calendar, the pressure starts to build for those players looking to gain access to the PGA Tour and, for those already looking assured, the chance to move further up the money list.
The leading three money winners are not in the field. Roland Thatcher and Jason Day are taking breaks for various reasons while the number two player on the money list, Nick Flanagan, is back in Australia preparing to head to New York in ten days time for his first event as a PGA Tour cardholder. Flanagan was on the Gold Coast earlier this week attending a press conference promoting his achievements and the Australasian events this summer.
There are several members of the PGA Tour taking advantage of a start on the Nationwide Tour while they await their next start on the PGA Tour. For them the next event most are eligible to play on the PGA Tour is the Turning Point Resort event in New York.
The Australians playing this week include the improving Matthew Jones, who moved to 17th on the Nationwide Tour money list when he finished runner up two weeks ago. Scott Gardiner is on the outside looking in as far as the top 25 is concerned and Greg Chalmers, who is in 30th place on the money list, is in a similar situation.
Steven Bowditch, Kim Felton, Mark Hensby, Michael Long, David McKenzie, Aron Price and Phil Tataurangi round out the ANZ contingent.
