Of the nine regular golfers on the PGA Tour with Utah connections, four made the grade for the 1990 season by finishing among the top 125 on the final PGA money list for 1989.
Leading the way was Provo's Mike Reid, who despite finishing last in this past weekend's season-ending Nabisco Championship, finished 28th on the money list with $401,665 in earnings. Although he didn't match his 1988 money total, this was one of Reid's best years, as he contended for several titles, including the Masters and the PGA on the final days.Jay Don Blake, who challenged at the U.S. Open for three days, had his best year by far as he won $200,499, good for 71st on the final money list. The St. George native's best finish this year was a tie for second at Atlanta.
Dan Forsman, a former Arizona State golfer, who makes his home in Provo, was consistent throughout the season as he came in 99th in the final standings with $141,174.
Cutting it as close as possible was ex-BYU golfer Pat McGowan, who ended up 125th, just $76 ahead of No. 126 John Inman. McGowan finished with $99,454.
By finishing in the top 125, PGA golfers have exempt status for most tournaments. Those who don't make the top 125 either must try to requalify for one of 50 spots in the qualifying school, unless they have other exemptions.
Ex-BYU golfers Rick Fehr and Keith Clearwater just missed the top 125, as Fehr finished No. 131 while Clearwater, the PGA rookie of the year in 1987, was 136th.
The other ex-Cougars, who finished out of the money were Bobby Clampett (148th), Johnny Miller (150th) and Richard Zokol (163rd).
Miller should still be exempt for next year as one of the all-time leading money-winners. The top 25 all-time money-winners are exempt and Miller ranked 15th on the all-time list going into this year. Miller has cut back his schedule drastically in recent years and could probably get into most tournaments with sponsors' exemptions anyway.
Following Tom Kite, who became golf's all-time money leader with his $1,395,278 in winnings this year, the top 10 money-winners were Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, Greg Norman, Mark Calcavecchia, Tim Simpson, Curtis Strange, Steve Jones, Chip Beck and Scott Hoch.