Things you might not know

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A few facts you may not know about the Nationwide Tour:

• The Nationwide Tour is owned and operated by the PGA TOUR.

Badz/PGA TOUR

Stephen Ames earned the 217th PGA TOUR victory by a Nationwide Tour alum.

• 67 percent of PGA TOUR members are Nationwide Tour alumni.

• Stephen Ames' win to end the 2007 season at the Children's Miracle Network Classic was the 217th PGA TOUR victory by a former Nationwide Tour player and 21st of 2007.

• Eleven major championships, including every Grand Slam event, have been won by former Nationwide Tour players, including Zach Johnson in the 2007 Masters. Nationwide Tour alums have also won three PLAYERS Championships.

• Sixteen of 22 Nationwide Tour graduates qualified for the 2007 PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.

• Nine Nationwide Tour grads played in the 2007 Presidents Cup for either the U.S. or International teams.

• Nine members of the 2006 U.S. Ryder Cup team were Nationwide Tour grads, plus U.S. captain Tom Lehman.

• The total prize money in 2008 will be a record $18.95 million over 30 tournaments. The average purse is a record $631,000.

• The Tour will play its first two $1-million events in 2008, the Nationwide Tour Players Cup in West Virginia and Nationwide Tour Championship at TPC Craig Ranch.

• Twenty-five 2009 PGA TOUR cards will be awarded at the end of the 2008 season.

• Nationwide Insurance has extended its umbrella sponsorship agreement with the TOUR through 2012.