RICHMOND, Texas -- Rare is the day you see a caddy for a professional golfer break down and cry. But Jill Rutledge deserves a pass for the tears of joy she shed Sunday afternoon.

Jill Rutledge’s boss, her husband Jim, had just put the finishing touches on a 4-under-par 68 in the final round of the Nationwide Tour Championship at The Houstonian. But it wasn’t the round that made her so emotional.

“This is just starting to sink in,’’ Jill Rutledge said as the flood gates opened.

Jim Rutledge, 47, fulfilled a life-long dream this season by finishing in 14th position on the final Nationwide Tour money list. He is headed to the PGA TOUR in 2007, where he will become the second oldest rookie in the history of the TOUR, this after 27 years as a pro and 13 futile trips to qualifying school. Allen Doyle was 48 when he graduated in 1995.

That is special in itself, but the fact that Jill and Jim did it together made it more than memorable. Matter of fact, Jill Rutledge drew more applause as she walked toward the scorer’s tent. It was appropriate because she is a cancer survivor.

“This has been worth waiting for,’’ she said.

Fittingly, Jill Rutledge retired from looping Sunday to become a PGA TOUR wife.

QUITE A CHARGE BUT. .. : Ricky Barnes came within a single stroke of playing his way onto the PGA TOUR as he made a significant move with a final-round 7-under 65. He needed one more birdie, though, as he fell just over $6,000 short and finished in 23rd position on the money list, one spot shy of graduating. Barnes, a former U.S. Amateur champion, had a chance on the 18th, but his 35-foot birdie attempt ran out of steam. He finished solo fourth, with a 10-under-par 278 total, but needed a solo third to overtake Bryce Molder. “I hit the ball great all week, but my putt never got hot,’’ Barnes said. “If I had putted a little better I definitely would have cruised to my TOUR card.’ ’

DUKE OF CASH: He was the last man on the practice putting green as darkness settled over The Houstonian on Saturday, working to correct the flaws that had crept into his game. Apparently Ken Duke solved the riddle because he followed Saturday’s 76 with a 67 that enabled him to claim the Nationwide Tour’s money title by a little more than $10,000 over Johnson Wagner. “I finally got some things worked out,’’ Duke said. “Just in time too. It was important to me to maintain my position. It is the first time I’ve been on top. I proved I was the best player out here this year.’’

MEMORABLE SHOT, DISAPPOINTING FINISH: At one point Sunday it appeared Brendan Pappas’ 35-yard hole-out for birdie on the 72nd hole might propel him onto the PGA TOUR, but it was not to be as the Aussie, who began the week at No. 23 on the money list, was passed by Craig Kanada and Barnes. “Wasn’t that the most incredible shot?’’ Pappas said from behind a huge grin. “It was near impossible.’’ Pappas was left to retire to the clubhouse and watch the tournament’s progress on PGATOUR.com. “It’s out of my hands,’’ said Pappas, who finished 24th.