Former Clemson All-American Kevin Johnson wins Second Nationwide Tour Event

June 14, 2009

Clemson, SC – Former Clemson All-American Kevin Johnson won his second Nationwide Tour event in a playoff on Sunday afternoon in Knoxville, TN. Johnson, an All-American for the Tigers program from 1985-89, won the event at the par 72 Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville in a two-hole playoff victory over Bradley Iles of New Zealand.

It was the sixth career victory for Johnson on the Nationwide Tour and it virtually assures him of a spot on the PGA Tour in 2010. The top 25 money winners on the Nationwide Tour advance to the PGA Tour in 2010 and Johnson is now second on the money list for this year with over $250,000. He has now won $189,000 over the last 15 days. He won $94,500 on Sunday with his victory.

Last year the 25th spot on the money list earned $218,000. This is also the most money Johnson has earned in any season. His previous high was $205,000 in 2001, his only previous year on the PGA Tour.

Johnson had rounds of 67-65-68-68 for a 20 under par 268 score. He entered Sunday trailing David McKenzie by three strokes. But McKenzie shot an even par 72 on Sunday compared to Johnson’s 68 and the 63 turned in by Iles, who birdied the last two holes to get into the playoff with Johnson.

Johnson, who was playing in the final group, could have won the tournament in regulation with a birdie on the par five 18th hole. But he made a par and went into the playoff with Iles. Both players made birdie on the first playoff hole, the par five 18th hole. Then, Johnson made a birdie and Iles made a par on the second playoff hole, to claim the victory.

It was the second playoff win for Johnson in the last 15 days. On May 31 he won the Rex Hospital Raleigh Open in a one hole playoff win over Jeff Gallagher.

Johnson now ranks first on the Nationwide Tour in birdies with 178. That included 22 birdies and three eagles in this week’s tournament. He made an eagle on the par give 10th hole in the third and fourth rounds, keys to his victory.