Albany’s Broadaway in fourth after first round of Nationwide Tour event in Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Josh Broadaway’s recent success on the golf course continued Thursday in the opening round of the Nationwide Tour’s Price Cutter Charity Championship in Springfield, Mo.

The Albany native shot a 6-under 66 and is tied for fourth place, four shots behind leader Steve Friesen.

Broadaway has surged to 26th in the Nationwide money list after his performances the last few weeks — a tie for fourth, fifth and 15th — and Thursday’s round has him poised to break into the Top 25, which would automatically give him his first-ever PGA Tour card for next season.

He began Thursday on the back nine and birdied three of his first four holes. He then rattled off seven pars in a row before birdieing three of his final seven holes. His ability to avoid big numbers and knock down putts — he had just 26 on Thursday — has helped him stay in contention in every tournament this past month.

Broadaway is currently tied for 24th on the Nationwide Tour in putting and (29.04 putts per round) and tied for 19th in Top 10 finishes with two in nine events.

The Byne Christian graduate who later played golf at Troy University tees off today at 1:50 p.m. today with Adam Bland (-1) and Ted Brown (+2).