Sim Earns Promotion to PGA Tour with Nationwide Victory; Smith Ties for 9th

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas -- Michael Sim, who is averaging more than $40,000 per tournament on Nationwide Tour in 2009, earned a promotion to the PGA Tour on Sunday when he claimed his third victory of the year.

The 24-year-old Australian (he was born in Scottland -- on a Tuesday -- but moved to Australia when he was 5) shot a final-round 67 at the Nicklaus Course at Lion's Gate to finish at 264 (20 under par) and win the Christmas in October Classic by two strokes.

Josh Teater closed with a 66 to claim second place at 266.

For Sim, the victory was worth $112,500, which boosted his earnings in '09 to $527,079 in only 12 tournaments. But because it was his third Nationwide victory this year, it also got him a "Battlefield Promotion" to the PGA Tour. He is the ninth player to get such a promotion.

The $527,079, by the way, is a single season Nationwide record.

Justin Smith, the former University of Minnesota All-American, by way of Franklin, Pa., got into the tournament as a Monday qualifier and barely made the cut, which came at 141. But then he shot 67-65 on the weekend and tied for ninth, with an overall 272.

That was worth $16,250, which boosted Smith's Nationwide earnings to $18,048 in two events and elevated him from No. 245 on the money list to No. 143.

Troy Merritt, the former Fridley High School star who went on to earn All-American honors at Boise State (he had the lowest scoring average of any NCAA Division I player as a senior in 2007-08, and won seven tournaments that year), also made the cut. He tied for 60th with a 282 (71-70-71-70).

His take was $1,812.50. He's now one place behind Smith on the Nationwide money list, at No. 144, having made $17,617.

Dave Schultz, the former Birchmont and Pine to Palm champion from Fargo, started the week at No. 19 on the money list but missed the cut with a 148 (76-72). So his earnings remain at $137,617, and he's now No. 21.

The top 25 players on the Nationwide money list at the end of the year, will join Sim on the 2010 PGA Tour.

NATIONWIDE TOUR

Christmas in October Classic

At Nicklaus GC at Lion's Gate

Par 71

Overland Park, Kansas

Final results

1. Michael Sim          $112,500     65-67-65-67--264

2. Josh Teater              67,500      67-70-63-66--266

3. Michael Clark II       42,500      68-69-68-63--268

T9. Justin Smith       16,250    69-72-66-65--272

T60. Troy Merritt      1,813    71-70-71-70--282

Missed cut (141)

T139. Dave Schultz                76-72--148