Boise Open win returns Mills to PGA Tour
BY Bruce Young | Web.com Tour | 2007 Boise Open | Round Four | 24 Sep 2007
Canadian, Jon Mills, produced a big finish to not only win his second Nationwide Tour victory but in doing so has guaranteed himself a return to the PGA Tour in 2008. Mills was in 24th position leading into this week and with only the leading 25 being assured of a PGA Tour card in 2008, he needed a good finish if he was to advance his cause. The win at this week’s Albertson’s Boise Open has done just that, the victory moving him to 5th position on the Nationwide Tour money list and the chance to enjoy the last few events of 2007.
Mills played the USPGA Tour in 2006 after finishing 5th on the Nationwide Tour money list in 2005 but in his first season at the higher level he found the going too tough. He made the cut in only 6 of 21 starts and was unable to regain his card late last year. He now gets a second chance at the PGA Tour’s ‘pot of gold’.
D.A. Points led with three holes to go but a brilliant eagle at the 16th by Mills followed by a birdie at the last gave him the title after Points bogeyed the final two holes. Points finished alone in second place but he will look back on a day that might have been. A double bogey at his 7th hole, and the faltering finish, cost Points the chance to all but secure a return to the PGA Tour where he played in 2006.
Sydney’s Matthew Jones further confirmed his rising star status by finishing 5th, a run of two birdies and an eagle late in his round making a huge difference in his finishing position. Jones has moved to 8th on the Nationwide Tour money list.
Aron Price moved from 43rd to 36th with his 7th placed finish but after two early birdies he will be disappointed in the manner in which he finished off the day. He had a chance to challenge for the title today but struggled to convert the opportunities he was creating.
New Zealanders Tim Wilkinson and Phil Tataurangi were 18th and 37th respectively, Jason Day perhaps disappointing when 47th after his opening round of 65 and Steve Bowditch 64th.
The Nationwide Tour has five events left in 2007 with many permutations as far as money list positions are concerned.
