Nationwide Tour returns with Chitimacha La. Open

• Published: Mar 23, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The tournament, which begins a four-day run Thursday on the par 71, 7,004-yard Le Triomphe Country Club layout in Broussard, will be the first Nationwide Tour event in the United States this year.

The 2008 Nationwide Tour started with tournaments in Panama, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia.

This year’s purse has increased to $525,000, with $94,500 going to the winner.

Skip Kendall claimed the tournament title a year ago, finishing with a 16 under 268 total.

Kendall, a 17-year veteran of the PGA Tour, put together rounds of 66,66, 66 and 70 to finish in a tie with Paul Claxton and force a playoff. Kendall dropped in a 6-foot birdie putt on the third extra hole to secure the win.