Nationwide Tour announces record purse

MCKINNEY, Texas, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The PGA's developmental tour announced plans to close its 2008 season with the $1 million Nationwide Tour Championship to be played in Dallas.

The $1 million total purse and $180,000 first-place check would mark records for the 17-year-old developmental tour.

Tour officials Thursday said the top 60 players on the Nationwide Tour money list would be invited to compete in the tournament Nov. 6-9, 2008, at TPC Craig Ranch in Dallas.

"One of our key goals the last few years has been to elevate the Nationwide Tour Championship," said Bill Calfee, the tour's president. "With today's announcement of a $1 million purse and our partnership with ... TPC Craig Ranch, there is no doubt we have accomplished that for 2008."

Richard Johnson won the 2007 Nationwide Tour Championship, collecting $139,500 out of a total purse of $775,000. The event offered $750,000 in prizes in 2006 and $650,000 in 2005.