LAKESIDE, Calif. -- Former Augusta State standout Richard Johnson was one of a record 25 players who secured a 2008 PGA TOUR card on Sunday at the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship at Barona Creek.

Johnson, a 35-year-old native of Cardiff, Wales, had been in a season-long quest to finish among THE 25 leading money winners on the Nationwide Tour. His efforts paid off on Sunday, as he won the season-ending event – shooting a tournament record 20-under 264 -- to finish No. 1 on the final money list with $445,421 and earn fully-exempt status on the 2008 PGA TOUR and a ticket to THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP.

A Fort Smith, Ark., resident, Johnson will join former Augusta State teammate and current PGA TOUR member Vaughn Taylor, giving the Jaguar men’s golf program two former players on the TOUR in 2008.

“This year has been great and to top it off with a win today is unbelievable,” said Johnson, who became the first Jaguar to earn All-America honors as a senior in 1995. “After eight seasons on the Nationwide Tour, I’m looking forward to getting out to the PGA TOUR and seeing how I stack up against those guys. I have a great wife who has stood by me this whole time and we can’t wait for the challenge that awaits us next year.”

Johnson enjoyed a highly-successful season on the Nationwide Tour, including 17 made cuts in 25 appearances and eight top-10 finishes. His year was highlighted by his third and fourth career Tour titles, winning in a playoff at the Mark Christopher Charity Classic and then on Sunday at the Tour Championship. His previous victories were posted at the 1999 Florida Classic and the 2000 Monterey Peninsula Classic.