Nationwide Tour event begins play Thursday
Nationwide Tour events include players in a variety of stages of their careers. Here are a few to watch when the Melwood Prince George’s County Open tees off today at the Country Club at Woodmore:
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Michael Sim » Has won twice this year. With a victory this week, the Australian, 24, would become the first man to earn automatic promotion to the PGA Tour since fellow Australian (and housemate) Nick Flanagan achieved the feat two years ago. Sim leads the Nationwide in money ($370,567), putts per round (28.4) and is third in driving accuracy (83.0 percent), on which there is a premium at tree-lined, thick-roughed Woodmore. Sim graduated from Nationwide to PGA in 2006, but was hindered by back troubles.
Alex Prugh » Destined for PGA Tour. Won first Nationwide event, New Zealand Open, earlier this year. The 24-year-old from Washington state has won more than $290,000 in two Nationwide seasons.
D.J. Brigman » Has two straight finishes in top five, vaulting into the magic top 25. Came close to earning PGA Tour slot last year, finishing No. 30 on Nationwide money list. The 6-foot-4 skydiver and bungee jumper is from New Mexico.
Bob May » As a junior phenom in Southern California, May was the boyhood idol of Tiger Woods. May took Woods to a playoff in the 2000 PGA, but has struggled much of this decade. The 40-year-old has four top-10 finishes in two seasons on Nationwide Tour. Others here this week, who have flirted with major championships are Scott Dunlap, 45, and Len Mattiace, 41.
Jeff Brehaut » A fixture on PGA Tour (2001-07), the 46-year-old is trying to get back. Closed with 67 to finish second to Jeff Klauk last year at Woodmore. Californian has made cut in six of last seven events.
Jeff Gallagher » In a battle of career journeymen, Gallagher, 44, lost a playoff with Kevin Johnson, 42, last week at the Rex Hospital Open. Indiana native has made cut in four of last five events. Seeking first win since 2000 and a third stint on PGA Tour. Brother of former PGA Tour standout Jim Gallagher.
Paul Claxton » When he claimed first place in the Melwood’s inaugural year (2007), the Georgia native became the first player in Nationwide history to top the $1 million mark in earnings. Claxton, 41, looks to rediscover his game on a familiar course after a rough 2008 on the PGA Tour (one top-30 in 23 starts) and a difficult start this year, missing eight of nine cuts.
Nick Flanagan » Won three Nationwide events in 2007. But the 24-year-old Australian didn’t last long on the PGA Tour, missing the cut in 15 of his last 31 starts. His struggles continue this year on the Nationwide, where he has played on the weekend in only three of nine events.
Grant Waite » One of two former Kemper Open champions in the field (The other is Tom Scherrer. New Zealander, 44, has made cut in five of last six Nationwide events, including 14th last week in Raleigh, where he contended before fading to a 71 in final round.
Bobby Clampett » Former PGA Tour star, 49 remains visible as a color analyst for CBS. Attempts to revive his game for the Champions Tour. Clampett last made a cut in a PGA Tour event at the U.S. Open (Pebble Beach) in 2000. Is a threat in occasional Nationwide appearances, however, finishing 19th at Athens in April.
