Chattanooga Classic presented by Black Creek

Thus far on the PGA Tour a former Nationwide player has won every tournament except for two at least once.  One of those tournaments that have yet to see a winner from the Nationwide is the Masters, which was played this past weekend.  But three former players placed in the top ten at Augusta. 

Tim Clark finished runner up to Phil Mickelson while Chad Campbell tied for third and Steward Cink finished tenth.  Clark's runner up finish is the 7th by a former Nationwide player in the last 12 years.

Clark graduated to the PGA Tour for good in 2001 after finishing the 2000 Nationwide season third on the money list.  Clark has two victories on the Nationwide Tour, both in 2000 and finished as high as second on the PGA Tour. 

Clark is not the only former player finding success on the PGA Tour this season.  Eleven of the eighteen players who are averaging over 300 yards in driving are former Nationwide players.   Furthermore, Bubba Watson leads the Tour with a 319. 3 average in his first season on the PGA.  He led the Nationwide in driving distance last year with 323.5 yards and finished 21st on the money list.  Watson is only the third left-handed player to graduate to the PGA from the Nationwide Tour.

Former players look to continue their success on the PGA Tour next week where the tour moves to Hilton Head, South Carolina and the Verizon Heritage.  The Tour Insider's power rankings for the Verizon Heritage lists three former Nationwide players in the top five with Stewart Cink number one, Chad Campbell number two, and Ted Purdy fifth.