MIDLAND, Texas (AP) -Australia's Marc Leishman ran away with his first Nationwide Tour title to move into position for a spot next year on the PGA Tour, shooting a 4-under 68 on Sunday for an 11-stroke victory in the windy WNB Golf Classic.
Leishman earned $94,500 to jump from 56th to 19th on the money list with $197,926. The top 25 after the final three events will earn 2009 PGA Tour cards.
Leishman, the 2006 Jisan Resort Open winner on the Korean PGA Tour, had a 21-under 267 total on the Midland Country Club course. He opened with rounds of 67, 66 and 66. The 11-stroke matched the tour record set by Chris Smith in the 1997 Omaha Classic.
``I was determined to get off to a good start,'' said Leishman, who did just that with a birdie at the par-5 second hole and an eagle at the fourth. ``When I made the eagle at 4, I was able to play more conservative.''
Leishman used a 2-iron off the tee after establishing the large lead.
``It was a really handy club to have in the bag this week,'' Leishman said.
Dallas resident Keoke Cotner shot a 68 to finish second at 10 under.
``I've played at Midland every year, so I'm pretty familiar with it,'' Cotner said. ``The wind was howling, but the difference for me this week was I didn't make as many bogeys.''
