Print this page  |  Close Window

By John Maginnes
PGATOUR.com Contributor

SAN ANTONIO -- The PGA TOUR or the Nationwide Tour? It doesn't seem like a very difficult decision. On the PGA TOUR, the purses are 10 times that of the Nationwide Tour. Not to mention all of the amenities that come with participating in a PGA TOUR event. Oh, yeah, and a win on the PGA TOUR these days comes with lifelong benefits and a whole lot of cash.

Why did Chris Riley opt to play in Texas this week? (Ernst/WireImage)

For some players at the Valero Texas Open and the Mark Christopher Charity Classic presented by County of San Bernadino, though, the decision is not quite so clear cut. Tom Scherrer and Chris Riley both have won on the PGA TOUR in their careers. Moreover, they both have wins on the Nationwide Tour this year.

So why is Tom playing the Nationwide Tour event in California while Chris is playing here in San Antonio? As a PGA TOUR winner, you will always have some status on the PGA TOUR. But Tom chose not to take advantage of that this year. He did play the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am but that is his only start on TOUR. From very early on this year, Tom has been concentrating his efforts on the Nationwide Tour. His victory in Springfield, Mo., and six other top-25 finishes have him inside the top-25 on the money list -- but just barely. He is currently 22nd on the money list with five events remaining.

Obviously, Tom, who is the second leading money winner in Nationwide Tour history, is trying to regain his exempt status on the PGA TOUR through the Nationwide Tour year-end money list. The top 25 players earn the promotion.

Chris' situation is different, but only slightly. Chris finished 150th on the money list on the PGA TOUR a year ago. That is the last position before the past champions category in terms of exempt status. His playing opportunities have been limited to just 14 starts on TOUR in 2007. His best finish this year was a tie for 18th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun. During the weeks that Chris didn't play on the PGA TOUR, he has filled in with a few Nationwide Tour events. Back in June, he won the Rochester Areas Charities Showdown at Somerby presented by Think. (If I was getting paid by the word I would write a lot more about the Nationwide Tour -- the name of every tournament is worth $5).

With the $90,000 that came with that victory, Chris was presented with a number of options, and here is where things must have gotten a little complicated for Chris. Obviously, he knew that following the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, his number was going to come up on TOUR more often. He will likely get into most of the events in the Fall Series. But, the decision could not have been an easy one. He has not had much success on TOUR this year, ranking 179th on the money list with five tournaments left. And with the leg up that comes with winning, he had a legitimate shot at being promoted to the TOUR from the Nationwide Tour money list.

As if all of those factors weren't enough, Chris loves LaCantera. His only top-five finish since the 2004 PGA Championship happened right here a year ago when he finished fifth. Following a second-round 68 that pushed Chris to 6-under par for the tournament, he spoke about the decision to concentrate his efforts on the PGA TOUR. He said that he felt like if he was playing well, he would benefit more from good play on the PGA TOUR.

After a couple of very tough years, the former Ryder Cupper seems to have a renewed enthusiasm for the game. Considering his money list position Chris will have to play extremely well to stay exempt on TOUR.

But, he said, "if I have to go to q-school I have to go." Chris' attitude is a good one. He feels like he belongs on the PGA TOUR contending for titles and not worrying about the money list. History tells us that he is right. Playing well on TOUR is as much about attitude as it is about ability. The return of Chris' youthfully exuberant attitude can only mean more good things for his golf game.

Chris and Tom may well both be back on the PGA TOUR where they belong next year. And although they have chosen different paths, the end result is the same. No matter where you are, if you play well you will end up where you want to be.