Points drama at Miccosukee Championship

BY Bruce Young | Nationwide Tour | 2008 Miccosukee Championship | Round Four | 27 Oct 2008

In a dramatic finish to the Miccosukee Championship, D.A Points has won his fourth Nationwide Tour title and in doing so has assured himself of a return to the PGA Tour in 2009.

D.A. Points trailed the Matt Bettencourt playing the 72nd hole and after Bettencourt had hit his approach to 15 feet, Points followed with a shot from 124 yards which covered the flag all the way, bounced five yards short and then worked its way into the hole for an eagle and a one shot lead.

Bettencourt was able to respond by holing his putt for birdie but in the playoff Points produced yet another stunning shot and then holed the five foot putt for birdie and the title.

Points played the PGA Tour in 2005 and 2006, but was unable to retain status in either year. He regained his PGA card at the Tour School in late 2005 but was unable to do so in either 2006 or 2007.

Bettencourt has also guaranteed himself a trip to the PGA Tour although for him it will be for the first time, his runner up placing moving him to 12th on the Nationwide Tour money list.

Gavin Coles was the best of the Australians with a share of third, and stakes a late claim for full PGA Tour status next season. The finish lifts him from 68th to 50th on the money list and opens the door for a big week at the Tour Championship in two weeks time.

Coles has had a rollercoaster ride on the Nationwide Tour in 2008, winning in Louisiana but missing all five other cuts before this week’s important finish.

Scott Gardiner finished 8th but finishes in 68th position on the money list and will be off to Stage Two of the PGA Tour School, Marc Leishman finished in a share of 11th and surprisingly only retains his 23rd position on the money list.

Andrew Bonhomme saved his best for last and produced his best finish of a horror season with a 20th, Stephen Dartnall was 30th, Aron Price and Won Joon Lee 45th and Jarrod Lyle 52nd.

The Nationwide Tour now has a break of one week before the Tour Championship in Dallas starting on November 6th. Australians making the field for that event are Jarrod Lyle, Greg Chalmers, Aron Price, Marc Leishman, Ewan Porter, Won Joon Lee and Gavin Coles.

The unlucky player this week is Victorian Cameron Percy, who dropped from 57th to 62nd and will head for Stage Two of the Tour School. Those players inside the top 25 on the money list at the completion of that event are granted 2009 PGA Tour cards.