Five to Watch: Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic

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COLLINGWOOD, Ontario, Canada -- The second half of the 2008 Nationwide Tour season kicks off this week with the Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung, the first in a series of five events whose purses are larger than usual and offer the players a great chance to dramatically improve their positions on the money list. Here's a quick look at five players that bear an extra look this week in Canada:

Kyle Reifers: Started the season in a missed-cut funk, failing to advance to the weekend in seven of his first 11 starts. But a tie for fifth at the Bank of America Open at the end of May and a tie for third in Knoxville last week that included a 65 and 66 in the last two rounds may have provided the sparks he needed to climb the money ladder. He is currently 41st.

Peter Tomasulo: This former first-team All-America who led Cal to the NCAA title in 2004 simply has too much talent to languish among the also-rans in his fourth season on the Nationwide Tour. Has a pair of top-10s and another two top-15s. His first Nationwide Tour victory would go a long way to cementing his place among 'The 25' as he seeks to rise from his current position at 37th.

Ricky Barnes: The former United States Amateur winner has become a fixture on the Nationwide Tour, now competing in his fifth season. Finished a few thousand short of graduating in 2006 and finds himself with a target on his back this week at No. 25. Has made eight consecutive cuts, including a pair of top 10s, to move into the hunted position.

Brendon Todd: Former Georgia standout has made the most of just eight starts in his rookie season with three top-10 finishes that have him in 45th place on the money list. Has accumulated enough earnings to allow him to make a schedule for the remainder of 2008, a fact that bodes well for improvement.

Chris Smith: Advanced to 30th this week thanks to a tie for fifth in Knoxville. Knows how the Nationwide Tour ebbs and flows, having used it as an avenue to the PGA TOUR twice, including 1997 when he became the first player to earn a performance promotion. Needs to concentrate on the Nationwide rather than use his status as a past PGA TOUR champion to jump back and forth between tours.