Bridgestone's Hurley Wins Hard-Fought Victory: From Persian Gulf to PGA Tour

Former Navy Lieutenant Finishes 25th On 2011 Nationwide Tour Money List, Earns PGA Tour Card

                                                                                                    

(Covington, Ga.) — In Charleston, South Carolina, this weekend, Billy Hurley III fulfilled a lifelong dream, using his T18 finish at the Nationwide Tour Championship to secure the 25th spot on the 2011 Nationwide money list and a monumental reward: his 2012 PGA TOUR card. As he had done all year, Hurley relied on a deft putting touch and accurate tee shots to earn $13,040 to hold off the #26 Money List finisher by a mere $6,000.      

Hurley’s path to the biggest stage in golf was one seldom traveled these days.  After a highly decorated collegiate golf career (that included a spot on the 2004 U.S. Walker Cup Team) and graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2004, Hurleyserved a mandatory 5-years in the United States Navy.  Hurley’s service included a stint as Lieutenant aboard the destroyer USS Chung-Hoon in the Persian Gulf.  Hurley’s duty while aboard the Chung-Hoon was safeguarding two of the world’s largest oil platforms during the Iraq War.

Throughout his amateur career, his Military service and his career in golf’s minor leagues, sponsor Bridgestone Golf has stood proudly with Hurley.  Now with his journey to the PGA TOUR complete, Hurley becomes part of one of the most well-established teams on TOUR, joining Fred Couples, Davis Love III, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker and fellow 2011 Nationwide Tour graduate Matt Every.  

“We are incredibly excited for Billy -- his perseverance and determination have paid off with PGA TOUR membership,” said Dan Murphy, Vice President of Marketing – Bridgestone Golf, Inc.  “Billy will be a great addition to the PGATOUR in 2012, as his strong play, engaging personality and service to his country will all make him easy to root for.”  

In his ascent to the PGA TOUR, Hurley relied on Bridgestone’s J40 Cavity Back irons, J38 Wedges and Tour B330-S golf ball.  For more information on Hurley and the rest of the Bridgestone Golf Tour Team visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.

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