Chalmers opens the door for PGA Tour status
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2007 WNB Golf Classic | Round Three | 14 Oct 2007
Western Australian, Greg Chalmers, has a chance in tomorrow’s final round of the Nationwide Tour’s WNB Golf Classic in Texas to regain a card for the PGA Tour.
A strong back nine in today’s third round overcame a slow start, a birdie at his final hole moving him into a share of the lead with Brian Guetz. Chalmers had led into day three after opening rounds of 68 and 65.
Chalmers lost his PGA Tour card at the end of 2006 having regained it via the Nationwide Tour in 2005 during a season where he won the Albertsons Boise Open. Chalmers is a player good enough to have finished 4th at the PGA Championship behind Tiger Woods in 1999, finished runner up at the Kemper Open on the PGA Tour and of course in 1998 won the Australian Open at Royal Adelaide.
Chalmers started the 2007 Nationwide Tour season well but in recent months there has been little to get excited about. With US$130,000 to his name leading into this week’s event, he sits in 35th place and needs perhaps another US$70,000 to be assured of a place in the big-time next year.
First place in this week’s event is US$81,000 and with only three further events on the schedule Chalmers will be keen to take full advantage of the opportunity he has created for himself.
Fellow Australian Matthew Jones has also moved into contention with a third round of 67 moving him to 8 under and within four. Jones has been four times runner up in the 2007 season and a strong finishing round tomorrow might again have him with a chance to win for the first time on the Nationwide Tour.
