Nationwide Tour already shining with 2009 start

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20TH SEASON KICKS OFF IN STYLE
Vance Veazey of Memphis, Tenn., defeated Garrett Willis of Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff to capture the opening event of the Nationwide Tour's 20th season, the Panama Digicel Championship in Panama City, Panama. It was the second time in the six-year history of the event that Veazey has claimed the title. He also won it in 2005. It was the fourth time a Nationwide Tour season has opened with a playoff, the last one coming in 1999.

Watney

WATNEY WRACKS UP 240th ALUMNI WIN ON PGA TOUR
Nick Watney's win on Sunday at the Buick Invitational was the 240th time a former Nationwide Tour player has won a PGA TOUR event. Nationwide Tour graduates have captured three of the first five TOUR events of 2009: Zach Johnson at the Sony Open in Hawaii and Pat Perez at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic hosted by Arnold Palmer. Watney is a 2004 Nationwide Tour graduate. His win at Torrey Pines was his second PGA TOUR title (2007 Zurich Classic of New Orleans).

TWO OUT OF THREE ARE FORMER NATIONWIDE TOUR PLAYERS
Based on the players whose bios are featured in the 2009 PGA TOUR Media Guide, 67.5 per cent -- or two out of three -- of this year's PGA TOUR members are former Nationwide Tour players -- 191 of 283. Not included in the calculation are World Golf Hall of Fame members and broadcasters who appear in the Guide.

May

RECORD TURNAROUND
Former Tiger Woods antagonist Bob May had a whirlwind weekend in Panama. The 2000 PGA Championship playoff runner-up to Woods shot 81 in Saturday's third round only to rebound with a 65 on Sunday. The 16-shot improvement is a new Tour record by two shots. The Las Vegas, Nev., resident moved up 25 spots the final day from last place to tie for 47th.

NATIONWIDE TOUR ON DISPLAY AT TORREY PINES
The top-six finishers and 14 of the top 16 at the Buick Invitational were Nationwide Tour alumni.

THIS WEEK IN NATIONWIDE TOUR HISTORY
Feb. 16, 1992: Paul Goydos opens the Nationwide Tour's third season with a one-stroke victory over Taylor Smith at the Yuma Open in Arizona.