Brendan Steele wins the Nationwide Tour Championship
Brendan Steele won the final event of the Nationwide Tour and earned the PGA playing card for next year. Steele who entered the Championship at 30th place has now made his way into the top 25 and hence is eligible to play for the PGA circuit next
year. Thanks to his win, Brendan received $180,000 and is now at number six in the money list. Steele defeated Colt Knost and attained his first win at Daniel Island in South Carolina yesterday. Upon receiving $108,000 on Sunday, Knost moved from the 36th
position to the 15th position in the money list.
Even though Knost earned a playing card as well, it was Steele who really set the course on fire. Brendan, who will be a rookie on the PGA Tour next season, shot in an eight-foot putt on the last hole to finish the play off. This was right before Knost missed
a birdie attempt and handed the victory to the 27 year old Californian.
Steele entered the round with a five shot lead with a tour record for 54 holes but closed with one over 73 to let the struggling begin. Colt took advantage and carded a four under 68 to be levelled with Brendan at 13-under 275 after 72 holes. Seeing at
how things went on Sunday, both the players had a lot of chances to win the Championship. Steele and Knost both couldn’t achieve birdies on the par-five 18th and tried twice for the closing hole.
The real battle started when the playoff round begin. Steele and Knost both birdied the third playoff hole which was the par-four 17th. Steele achieved this thanks to a 10-foot putt where as Knost hit a six-footer. Brendan finished the show when
he hit a birdie putt on the 18th and Knost missed on the left side with his try.
"I'd like to say it was a lot of fun but it wasn't," said Steele. "It was an absolute grind from the first tee shot all the way to the end."
Joe Affrunti, who was leading the championship at one point and time, carded a 70 and finished in third place with a 279 overall. Canadian David Hearn finished at fourth position with a 280. The 31-year old native of Brantford, Ontario moved up six spots
because of the $48,000 he earned on Sunday. Being 21st on the money list, Hearn will now play in PGA after six years.
Hearn, Affrunti, Knost, Steele and Justin Hicks were the only four players to make their way in the top 25 on the money list.
Knost played a full season in the PGA circuit in 2009 and made 11 0f the 24 cuts. Colt said that it’s great to be going back and he is definitely more prepared this time around.
The last PGA card was earned by Justin Hicks who luckily went from 29th place to 25th place after tying for 27th on Sunday. He took over Scott Gardiner by just $2010 on the final money list. Hicks entered the final round
of the championship tied for 16th. After he bogeyed five of his last eight holes, Hicks closed for a 76. The poor chap had to wait two hours before he was finally told that he has earned his playing card. Justin said that there was nothing fun
about it and he wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemy.
Now that the Nationwide Tour season for 2010 is over, Jamie Lovemark who is just 22 years old became the youngest player to finish first on the money list. He has earned a spot in the 2011 Players Championship. Along with Lovemark making news, Jhonattan
Vegas finished seven on the money list and will be the first Venezuelan to compete in the PGA circuit. Overall, the Nationwide Tour Championship was an amazing event. For players like Steele and Knost, this event promised a great season ahead. Surely, with
the season over, all the top 25 players of the Nationwide Tour are looking forward to play in the world’s richest circuit in 2011.
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