Jim Rutledge - Media Guide

Championship. Making his 92nd career start, Rutledge stormed back from nine shots down to clip Jarrod Lyle and Brett Rumford by a stroke. The comeback was the third-largest in Tour history and made the Canadian the fifth-oldest Nationwide Tour player to win a tournament. Opened the event with rounds of 75-68-72 before a blistering 8-under 64 to claim the $113,684 top prize. His only previous top-10 finish was T5 at the 2004 Alberta Classic. His effort was good enough to earn Player of the Month honors for January/February. During a Nationwide Tour break, finished T2 (losing in a four-man playoff) and T3 in two Canadian Tour events before returning with three consecutive top-25 finishes on the Nationwide Tour, including a T5 at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic. Other top-10 finishes came at the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic (T4), The Rex Hospital Open (T5) and the Knoxville Open (T7). The 47-year old is seeking a trip to the PGA TOUR next year for the first time in his career, which will make him the second-oldest player to become a PGA TOUR rookie. Allen Doyle was exactly one month older than Rutledge when he joined the TOUR for the first time.

his best outing. Finished the season No. 226 on the money list. Member of the Nationwide Tour from 2001-06. Finished 14th on the 2006 Nationwide Tour money list to earn his initial TOUR card. Stepped into the winner's circle for the first time in his career at the ING New Zealand PGA Championship. Making his 92nd career start, Rutledge stormed back from nine shots down to clip Jarrod Lyle and Brett Rumford by a stroke. The comeback was the third-largest in Tour history and made the Canadian the fifth-oldest Nationwide Tour player to win a tournament. Opened the event with rounds of 75-68-72 before an 8-under 64 claimed the $113,684 top prize. His only previous top-10 was a T5 at the 2004 Alberta Classic. His effort was good enough to earn Player of the Month honors for January/February. During a Nationwide Tour break, finished T2 (losing in a four-man playoff) and T3 in two Canadian Tour events. Finished inside the top 100 on the final Nationwide Tour money lists in 2004 (No. 70) and 2005 (No. 75). Member of the Canadian Tour for most of his professional career. Has six Canadian Tour victories, including the 1995 Montclair PEI Classic, 1994 Alberta Open, 1984 CPGA Championship and 1979, 1981 and 1999 British Columbia Opens. Has finished third on the Canadian Tour Order of Merit three times. Winner of the 1995 Indian Open. Member of the Canadian World Cup team in 1984 and 1995. Two-time Dunhill Cup member (1993, '96). Has played the Asian Tour and European Tour. Third on the 1994 Asian Tour Order of Merit. Has made the cut in eight of 31 career PGA TOUR starts, with his best finish coming in his first career start at the 1982 Canadian Open (T26). Winner of 1977 Canadian Junior Championship and 1975 Canadian Juvenile Championship.