PRATTVILLE, Ala. -- David Branshaw hit an approach to 2 feet
for eagle on the par-5 17th hole Sunday to win the Nationwide Tour
Championship and join 20 other players who earned PGA Tour cards
for the 2006 season.
Branshaw, 29th on the money list going into the final event of
the year, closed with a 1-under 71 for a two-shot victory over Eric
Axley. He finished at 12-under 272 and earned $117,000.
"The shot of my life, so far," Branshaw said.
Axley, who was 27th on the money list, bogeyed the 17th for a
three-shot swing and wound up with a 69. Even so, his runner-up
finish was worth $70,200 and sends him to the PGA Tour for the
first time.
The top 21 players on the Nationwide money list earn tour cards.
An extra spot was created because Jason Gore won three times on the
Nationwide Tour to earn an instant promotion to the PGA Tour, where
he won the 84 Lumber Classic last month.
"I feel sorry for the guys who got bumped out because of Eric
and I, but the season didn't end last week," Branshaw said.
"Nobody was locked in until that last putt went in."
Among those who failed to get a card was Bill Haas, the son of
Jay Haas. He was 21st on the money list, but had rounds of 74-75 on
the weekend and will have to return to Q School.
Others who earned cards were Troy Matteson, Chris Couch, Steven
Bowditch, Jon Mills, Jerry Smith, Shane Bertsch, Mathew Goggin,
Kris Cox, David McKenzie, Roger Tambellini, Camilo Villegas, Greg
Chalmers, Jason Schultz, Vance Veazey, Nathan Green, Charley
Hoffman, Jeff Gove and Bubba Watson.