Nationwide Tour events have players in a variety of stages of their careers. Here are a few to watch when the Melwood Prince George’s County Open kicks off today at the Country Club at Woodmore.
Ricky Barnes » The 27-year-old from California arrived with a splash, winning the 2002 U.S. Amateur and sharing the 2003 Ben Hogan Award, given to the nation’s top college player, with Hunter Mahan. But their careers have taken different paths since. The muscular Barnes is still looking for his first Nationwide Tour victory, though is showing signs of long-awaited consistency, coming to the Melwood after consecutive top 10 finishes. Was one spot and $6,137 shy of earning his PGA Tour card in 2006.
Bobby Clampett » Former PGA Tour star, 48, remains visible as a color analyst for CBS. He received a sponsor’s exemption to play this week as he attempts to re-invigorate his game for the Champions Tour. Playing no more than three times in any season, Clampett last made a cut in a PGA Tour event at the U.S. Open (Pebble Beach) in2000. He will turn 50 in April of 2010.
Paul Claxton » The Melwood’s defending champion has made a nice living on the Nationwide Tour. When he claimed first place here last year, the 40-year-old from Georgia became the first player in Nationwide history to top the $1 million mark in earnings. He looks to re-discover his game this week after missing eight of 11 cuts splitting time on the PGA and Nationwide Tours.
Jarrod Lyle » The 26-year-old Australian rose to the PGA Tour in 2007. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 17 and was confined to a hospital bed for nine months as he was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Lyle overcame the disease with inspiration from his mother, Sally-Anne, who has multiple sclerosis. Lyle is back on the Nationwide Tour this year, but likely not for long. He ranks No. 2 on the money list thanks to a victory in the Mexico Open in February and two other top 10 finishes.
David Mathis » The 34-year-old from North Carolina claimed his first Nationwide victory last week, and did it close to home in Greenville, S.C., winning the BMW Charity Pro-Am by three strokes after leading from the second round on. With his victory, Mathis vaulted to No. 4 on the Nationwide money list.
Tim O’Neal » The 34-year-old from Georgia was the lone African-American on the Nationwide Tour last year. The only African-American on the PGA Tour is Tiger Woods. O’Neal struggled last year and lost his Nationwide status, but received a sponsor’s exemption to play this week.
