Nationwide Tour Insider: Big week to make a '25' move

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The Cox Classic presented by Lexus of Omaha offers the second largest earning opportunity for players so far in the 2009 season, with a total purse of $725,000 -- $135,500 going to the winner. There are 19 of the current top-25 money leaders in the field this week and 50 of the top 60.

Current money leader Michael Sim returns for his first appearance since his tie for 18th at the U.S. Open. He has led the Nationwide Tour money list for the last 10 consecutive weeks, and no player in the field can pass him this week in Omaha. If Sim wins this week, he would be the first player to earn more than $500,000 in a single season. Troy Matteson and Zach Johnson came close in 2005 and 2003, respectively, with earnings of $495,009 and $494,882.

Both Sim and Kevin Johnson are looking for their third win of the 2009 season and an instant promotion to the PGA TOUR for the remainder of this year and all of next. Johnson has played in the Cox Classic 11 times in its 13-year history, but has made only four cuts here. His best finish was a tie for 34th in 2005.

Three players have already earned more this season than last year's 25th position on the final money list ($218,902) -- Sim ($388,117), Johnson ($253,445) and Roger Tambellini ($250,760). Four players could pass this mark with a third place or better finish this week (Garth Mulroy, Alex Prugh, Cameron Percy and Blake Adams). Chris Tidland and Jeff Gove would do so with a second or better finish and so would the next 11 players on the current money list down to Henrik Bjornstad (26th) with a win.