Players seek to move into coveted spots in Oregon

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The Nationwide Tour is in Eugene this week for the Oregon Classic presented by Kendall Auto Group, one of only four full-field events remaining on the 2008 schedule. Depending on one's position on the money list, players are focused on making the top-60 and the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at TPC Craig Ranch or "The 25". Regardless, the pressure is building on virtually every Tour member with each passing week.

Shadow Hills Country Club in Junction City hosts the Oregon Classic for the tenth straight year. Play gets under way on Thursday.

One week can make all the difference on the Nationwide Tour, especially with so few chances left. Last week at the Albertsons Boise Open, Chris Tidland breezed into the winner's circle with his first career win, propelling himself from No. 86 on the money list to No. 16. Tidland's performance peak could not have come at a better time.

The top-25 on the money list after the Nationwide Tour Championship will be awarded PGA TOUR cards for 2009. This week D.J. Brigman occupies the No. 25 spot with earnings of $162,291, $3,167 ahead of No. 26, Ewan Porter of Australia. The top-60 on the money list after the Miccosukee Classic in late October will be invited to play at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney (Dallas area), Texas. With the finale offering a purse of $1 million and first prize of $180,000, every player in the field has a shot at making "The 25". Another Aussie Cameron Percy sits at No. 60 with $96,118, only $1,363 more than Dustin Bray at No. 61.

The Oregon Classic has a history of hosting strong fields and this year the tradition continues as 45 of the top-50 money winners will be in Eugene. All but one tournament winner, Robert Damron, are in the field including the Tour's three 2008 multiple winners, Jarrod Lyle of Australia and a pair of Americans, Colt Knost and Scott Piercy. A win will earn any one of them an immediate promotion to the PGA TOUR.

If recent Oregon Classics are any indication, the field will be bunched at Shadow Hills. The past two years the tournament ended in a playoff. In 2006, Cliff Kresge defeated Ricky Barnes with a par on the third playoff hole. Last year, Kyle Thompson defeated Matt Jones and Jon Turcott with a birdie on the second extra hole after earning a spot in the overtime session with a 60-foot eagle putt on the 72nd hole. Barnes and Turcott have returned this week, still seeking their first Nationwide Tour win.

The Nationwide Tour will be represented at this week's 37th Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club. Five Nationwide Tour alumni will be playing for the red, white and blue: Jim Furyk (six-time team member), Stewart Cink (four teams), Chad Campbell (three teams) and Steve Stricker and Boo Weekley (first appearances).

The Nationwide Tour is idle the next two weeks, resuming the drive for "The 25" at the WNB Golf Classic in Midland, Texas from Oct. 6-12.