Tacoma’s Putnam captures Nationwide event in Utah, closes in on PGA Tour card

Michael Putnam fired a 4-under 67 to come from behind and win the Utah Championship by three strokes over Venezuela’s Jhonnatan Vegas and New Zealand’s Bradley Iles. Putnam finished at 18-under 266 and collected his first victory since turning professional in 2005. Putnam earned $99,000 for the victory and moved from No. 47 to No. 15 on the season money list with seven tournaments left on the schedule. The 25 leading money winners will earn PGA Tour cards for 2011.

Putnam is hoping to make a return trip to the PGA Tour with the win and expand his family at the same time.

Putnam and his wife, Kristina, are expecting their first child, due to arrive during the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island, S.C., the last week of October.