Nationwide Tour Insider: Pivotal week for 'THE 25'

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ONTARIO, Canada -- The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic presented by Samsung is one of the biggest purses on the Nationwide tour at $800,999 with $144,018 going to the winner. As "THE 25" top finishers on the final 2009 money list earn their PGA TOUR cards for next year, the earnings potential at this event make it a pivotal opportunity for players to increase their standing.

This is the first time since Michael Sim won the BMW Charity Pro-Am in early May that his position atop the current money list is threatened by another player. With Sim not in the field this week, Kevin Johnson could move into the top position on the money list with just $9,346. In addition to a PGA TOUR card, the Nationwide Tour money leader at the end of the season is granted an invitation to THE PLAYERS Championship in 2010. A win for Johnson would also be his third of the year and earn him an instant promotion to the PGA TOUR for the remainder of this season and all of next.

The player in the 25th position at the end of 2008 was Ricky Barnes, with earnings of $218,902. There are 19 players in the field this week who would pass that mark with a win. While the final threshold for the 2009 season is still unknown, reaching that milestone midway through the year would be a major step toward finishing in "THE 25."

The chart below shows potential outcomes for players in the field this week.