As the final event on the 2009 PGA Tour season, this week's $4.7 million Children's Miracle Network Classic provides players their final opportunity to move into the top 125 on the money list and retain their PGA Tour cards in 2010. There are some interesting names on or around the bubble.
Those hoping to hold onto their spots on the money list are Ricky Barnes at 121, Robert Garrigus at 123, Rich Beem at 124 and David Duval at 125 with $623,824. In 126th with $613,027 is Chris Riley. Others on the outside looking in are Jeff Maggert at 127th, Tim Herron at 128th, Nicholas Thompson at 132, Todd Hamilton at 133 and Stuart Appleby at 134 with $562,837 earned.
Former Grand Strand resident Kris Blanks, whose instructor is Hugh Royer III of the Champions Golf Academy at Long Bay Club in Longs, is 171st on the money list with $296,931 in 19 events as a PGA Tour rookie and needs a miraculous finish to keep his card _ similar to Bishopville native Tommy Gainey's runner-up in this event last year after doing next to nothing all season.
Other players are vying to move into the top 30 on the final money list to ensure an automatic trip to the Masters and U.S. Open in 2010. Ryan Moore is 30th with $2,222,871 earned, while Heath Slocum is 31st at $2,195,565. Occupying spots 32-34 are Jason Dufner, Luke Donald and Steve Marino.
The inaugural Kodak Challenge is concluding this week, and it appears Kevin Streelman will collect the $1 million winner's check. The competition celebrates beautiful holes and continues with the 485-yard, par-4 17th hole at the Magnolia Course. Players must play at least 18 of the 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to compete for the $1 million. A player's lowest score relative to par on his best 18 Kodak Challenge holes are counted. Streelman, whose instructor is Alasdair Dyer of Barefoot Resort, leads the Kodak Challenge at 16 under by two strokes over Bo Van Pelt, so Van Pelt will likely have to hole a long iron from the fairway for eagle to catch Streelman, who can guarantee a win with a birdie on the hole in any round.
The Children's Miracle Network Classic will be televised on Golf Channel from 1-4 p.m. each day Thursday through Sunday with replays from 7-10 each evening.
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