Aussie milestones on the line at WNB
BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2008 WNB Golf Classic | Round Three | 12 Oct 2008
Marc Leishman extended his lead at the Nationwide Tour’s WNB Golf Classic in Midland, Texas, adding a second consecutive 66 to move to 17 under and five ahead of American Michael Boyd.
A win by the 24-year-old Leishman tomorrow would move him to US$197,000 in Nationwide Tour earnings for the season and that should be nearly enough to secure one of the top 25 PGA Tour cards handed out at season’s end.
With just two more full field events and the Tour Championship remaining on this season’s schedule, it would seem that a win here and the guaranteed last place money at the Tour Championship at worst would be sufficient for Leishman to earn his way to the PGA Tour for the first time.
Another Australian on the brink of graduation, Aron Price, also appears to have done his PGA Tour chances some good this week. Price sits alone in 5th position as the tournament heads into tomorrow’s final round.
At present in 20th position on the money list with US$193,000, it appears a top 20 finish in this week’s US$525,000 event will be more than enough to secure Price’s PGA Tour card.
Victorian Cameron Percy may have left his run a little late this season, but after a second place finish at his last event in Pennsylvania in August, he now finds himself in 3rd position this week. Although a long way from Leishman’s lead, a runner up finish would move him to US$160,000 and within striking distance of where he needs to be.
It would also assist the 34-year-old long hitter’s cause in securing direct access to the final stage of Q School, should such be required, as those players finishing between 26th and 40th on the Nationwide Tour money list are exempt into the final stage. Percy raced to the turn in 30 today before a back nine of even par saw him finish with 66.
These are all permutations at this stage, but tomorrow’s final round at the Midland Country Club could go a long way to enhancing the immediate golfing futures of several Australians.
