The stunning success of Australian golfers on the PGA TOUR has been well documented.

Start with Geoff Ogilvy’s great playoff escapes in the World Golf Championships-Accenture World Match Play Championship and his last-man-standing act at the U.S. Open. Reference Stuart Appleby’s pair of victories or wins by Rod Pampling and Aaron Baddeley. That’s six victories, one short of the most ever by Australians in 2004. Finish with the always solid play of Adam Scott.

Ogilvy (No. 2), Appleby (7), Scott (8) and Pampling (16) are all ranked snuggly inside the PGA TOUR’s top 20 on the money list. But they shouldn’t feel like Australia’s Lone Rangers when it comes to playing great golf in 2006.

Or hadn’t you noticed the happenings on the Nationwide Tour, where there are fewer Aussies but an almost equal amount of success? Australians have won three times, one each by Paul Sheehan, Andrew Buckle and Paul Gow. Plus Sheehan (No. 3) Buckle (10), Gow (17), Michael Sim (18) and Jarrod Lyle (21) find themselves in handy positions on the Nationwide Tour’s all-important money list, where PGA TOUR cards are handed out to the top 20 when the dust settles on the 2006 season. What’s more, they done it with a high degree of efficiency, Gow, with 13, is the only one of the Fab Five with more than 10 Nationwide starts.

When asked to explain the white-hot run by his countrymen, Nationwide rookie Andrew Buckle, 23, is perplexed.

“I have no explanation,’’ he said. “Perhaps someone else can tell you why we’re doing so well but I honestly don’t know.’’ Buckle laughed.

“Maybe it’s the Vegemite,’’ he said, referring to an Australian paste made when brewer’s yeast is blended with other yeast extract as well as celery, onion and salt and used as a sandwich spread much like peanut butter in America.

Now that would be a stretch. But whatever the reason, Buckle, a native of Brisbane, certainly has done his fair share, including winning his first-ever start in America at the Virginia Beach Open. Prior to that victory, Buckle was taking care of business on the Asian PGA Tour, where, despite his inactivity on that continent, he still stands third on the 2006 Order of Merit.

“I’ve just been playing well all year,’’ he said. “Then I came over here and I really liked the course (the Pete Dye-designed TPC Virginia Beach). It set up well for me and everything clicked.’’ To the tune of a 20-under-par total of 268 and a five-shot victory over Justin Bolli.

Buckle’s start in the U.S. mirrored his first foray into professional golf. He charged home in the final round to win the Von Nida Tour’s 2002 Queensland Open to kick off his career in style. At 20, it appeared he had the golf world on a string. The immediate victory validated his amateur success. He won two World Junior Championships, the Australian Amateur, the Suajana Amateur in Malaysia and the prestigious Dogwood Amateur in Atlanta.

But golf being a four-letter word, it lifted Buckle up and then the game said, “Not so fast, my friend.’’ Buckle tried PGA TOUR Qualifying School in 2003 and received the dreaded second-stage rejection slip, meaning he was a professional without a tour save for the infrequent events in Australia, where he owned status.

Buckle ranks first in all-around ranking on the Nationwide Tour. (Grayson/WireImage)

“That was a tough thing, not having a place to play every week where I could get some valuable experience,’’ said Buckle, who, like Adam Scott and Steven Bowditch before him, graduated from the Kooralbyn International School, a high school that emphasizes golf.

Still stuck with few options in early 2005, Buckle tried the Asian Tour Q-School, a decision that altered the path of his career. He narrowly missed being named Rookie of the Year after finished with seven top 10s in 16 starts. Buoyed with confidence he gave the PGA TOUR Q-School another try and battled through all three stages. Unfortunately he missed his opportunity to play at golf’s highest level by two strokes, but the Nationwide Tour, as well as the Asian Tour, comfortable safety nets. And Buckle is making the most of each this season as he hop-scotches the globe.

“I quite enjoy living out of a suitcase,’’ he said. “I’ve gotten used to it.’’

Buckle plans at least one more foray onto the Asian Tour, but will concentrate his efforts on the Nationwide Tour in order to reach what he hopes is his final destination, the PGA TOUR. “In Asia, you’re basically playing in a different country with a different culture and different food every week,’’ he said. “You have to fly between tournaments. Here you have the option to fly or drive and you have the same hotels and restaurants in a lot of cities so you get into a routine. I eat at a lot of Outback Steakhouses and T.G.I.Fridays. And I like Hooters where there’s good scenery.’’ Buckle has little time for distractions however as his primary focus remains on his job and mission. “I’m going to keep going and try to be patient,’’ he said. “It is remarkable how this game can change from week to week, but I plan on grinding it out and keep moving up on the (Nationwide Tour) Order of Merit (money list).’’