OVERLAND PARK, Kan.
— Michael Sim has played his way onto the PGA Tour. The Australian shot a 4-under 67 Sunday to win his third Nationwide Tour event this season, taking the Christmas in October Classic by two strokes. “It’s very relieving,” Sim said. “I’d been in this position before and I wasn’t able to get it done. I tried to stay in the moment as best I could. In Omaha I found it really difficult to stay focused on the last day. Fortunately I learned how to deal with those distractions. I did everything right today.” Sim shared the 54-hole lead four weeks ago at the Cox Classic in Omaha, Neb., but tied for fifth. Former Henry Clay and Morehead State golfer Josh Teater’s 66 on Sunday followed a 63 the day before, but wasn’t enough to catch Sim, who had only two bogeys all weekend and none in the final 45 holes to take home $112,500. Teater won $67,500 and moved up to 25th on the Nationwide money list earning $127,500 in 18 events. The top 25 on the list get full-time PGA Tour cards for next season. There are nine events left. Sim, the Nationwide money leader, won promotion to the PGA Tour for the remainder of this season and next season, the ninth golfer on the Nationwide Tour to do so.
Michael Clark II shot a 63 to take third at 16-under 268, followed a stroke back by Blake Adams (66) and one more by Chad Collins (67).