The road to 300 TOUR wins: Best of Nationwide Tour

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The Nationwide Tour is close to reaching a magic number, a number that defines the impact the Tour has had on the PGA TOUR.

In its 22nd season the Nationwide Tour has had nearly 300 of its alumni win on the PGA TOUR. When Nick Watney won Sunday's World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship it was the 298th time a former Nationwide Tour player had won on the PGA TOUR.

In 2010 there were a total of 28 PGA TOUR wins by former Nationwide Tour players -- the most ever in one season. And so far this season there have already been ten.

One former Nationwide Tour player who has made a big impression on the PGA TOUR is Lucas Glover, who won the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage. Glover, a former Clemson star, played in 39 career Nationwide Tour tournaments with one win and eight top 10 showings in 2002 and 2003.

"The competition on the Nationwide Tour is great preparation for the PGA TOUR," he said late last season. "Outside of the number of fans and media coverage, it gives you the chance to experience everything in professional golf."

While some players didn't spend a lot of time on the Nationwide Tour it most certainly helped in their development.

Let's take a look at some of the best the Nationwide Tour has produced from the veterans to the rookies.

Top 5 All-Time Alumni

Ernie Els The Big Easy has 18 career PGA TOUR wins, which includes two U.S. Open titles and a British Open title, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame the first year his name was on the ballot. Jim Furyk He didn't hit the PGA TOUR with as much force as Els, but once he got going he became one of the most consistent players of this generation. Won the 2003 U.S. Open and has 16 PGA TOUR wins. Stewart Cink Before he was a Twitter star and a British Open champion, he honed his game on the Nationwide Tour. Another consistent player on the TOUR who could likely have his best years ahead of him. David Duval A former world No. 1 and 13-time PGA TOUR winner who won the 2001 British Open. He fell off the map for awhile but is fighting his way back and has a chance to be relevant again. David Toms He won the 2001 PGA Championship and has 12 PGA TOUR victories. Another one of those consistent players who despite some recent injuries is still a force.

Note: They have won nearly $169 million combined in career earnings on the PGA TOUR.

The Next Wave of Stars

Bill Haas Had a break out season on the PGA TOUR last year with two big wins and is finding his groove as he enters his late 20s. Nick Watney A winner at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship in 2011 and his stock continues to rise. Perhaps a major championship will be his next accomplishment. Aaron Baddeley There's still time for him to become more of a consistent force and he's still young enough -- he turned 30 on March 17. Jhonattan Vegas A rookie on the PGA TOUR this season. He won the Bob Hope Classic and is poised for a monster season. Camilo Villegas Three-time winner on the PGA TOUR. Off to a rough start this season. He's too talented to stay down for long. Was a late bloomer in college.

Note: They have combined for 12 PGA TOUR victories.

The Best Veteran Players

Tom Lehman He may have never made it on the PGA TOUR without his success on the Nationwide Tour. Now he's a consistent performer on the Champions Tour. Steve Stricker At age 44 he's ranked 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking with nine PGA TOUR wins. Matt Kuchar The former Georgia Tech star is the highest-ranked Nationwide Tour alumni at No. 9 in the latest Official World Golf Ranking. Chad Campbell He is only 36 and has four wins on the PGA TOUR, with his last one coming in 2007. Brian Gay He has three PGA TOUR wins and has come on late in recent years. He will turn 40 in December.

Note: Only Lehman has won a major of these five but that could change this season.

Don't Forget About Me

John Daly He won two majors in his prime and is fighting to get full status on the PGA TOUR. Still occasionally plays on the Nationwide Tour. Lucas Glover He's young enough to win another major after claiming the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage. Zach Johnson The winner of the 2007 Masters isn't done yet. He picked up his seventh PGA TOUR win at the Crowne Plaza Invitational last year. Shaun Micheel He won the 2003 PGA Championship but has struggled with health issues the last few years. Jerry Kelly At age 45 he's off to a great start this season and is ranked 26th on the FedEx Cup points list.

Note: Bubba Watson, Mark Wilson and Johnson Wagner could have also made this list.

Most Likely to Win First Major

Matt Kuchar He's too good to not win a major and the PGA Championship is at the Atlanta Athletic Club in August. Stuart Appleby Has nine PGA TOUR wins and his game would probably work best at a U.S. Open. Steve Stricker This season might be his best shot and it might be at the Masters. Bubba Watson He has matured enough to where he can stay in contention in the majors. Bill Haas His father, Jay, never won a major, but Bill is poised to take that next leap in his career.

Note: There have been 13 majors won by former Nationwide Tour players with Ernie Els leading the way with three.

Still Plenty of Time

Jamie Lovemark He was the youngest leading money winner last season in Nationwide Tour history in 2010, and will one day make a big impact on the PGA TOUR. Bobby Gates At age 25 he's a rookie on the PGA TOUR and has the all-around game to do very well. Kevin Chappell Another rookie on the PGA TOUR who has made four cuts so far in seven starts. Chris Kirk Former University of Georgia star is 54th in the FedExCup points race in his rookie season. Colt Knost Rallied late last season on the Nationwide Tour to earn his PGA TOUR card again. He's just 25 with a lot of good years in front of him.

Note: Of the 25 players from the Nationwide Tour who earned their PGA TOUR cards from last season's money list 15 of those players are in their 20s.

John Dell has covered golf for the Winston-Salem Journal in North Carolina for the last 17 years. His views do not necessarily represent the views of the PGA TOUR. You can reach him at johndell@triad.rr.com.