SAN JACINTO, Calif. - Former Oklahoma City University golfer Tyrone van Aswegen finished tied for third in the Soboba Classic on the Nationwide Tour on Sunday at The Country Club at Soboba Springs.

Van Aswegen became the first OCU golfer to win the NAIA individual championship in 2002. Van Aswegen became a three-time all-American in leading the Stars to four national titles from 2001-04.

The 27-year-old Van Aswegen from Johannesburg, South Africa earned his way into the tournament via a qualifier the previous Monday. Van Aswegen finished in the top 25 for the first time in 10 career starts on the Nationwide Tour. He made his first start of the year on the Nationwide Tour.

Van Aswegen finished four strokes behind tournament winner Jerod Turner, shooting 68-67-69-69-273. Van Aswegen, who resides in San Diego, picked up $58,000 in earnings with his finish.

"I had a good week," van Aswegen said. "I made a lot of birdies. Everything has to be working. The driving was good, and the putting was good, so it was a combination of everything. Usually you're doing everything quite well to get birdies."

On Sunday, van Aswegen excelled on the par-5 holes, sinking birdies on the fifth and 18th holes while knocking in an eagle on No. 6. Van Aswegan buried seven birdies in the second round, finishing a shot off the lead Friday.

"I worked really hard, and it paid off," van Aswegen said. "I did everything well. Everything was solid.

"On the Nationwide, the greens are a lot faster and harder. I had eight three-putts during the week. You two-putt those, and you win by a few shots. I put myself in good position and gave myself opportunities. I definitely believe I could have won it."

Van Aswegen will play in the next Nationwide event, the Chattanooga Classic starting Thursday in Tennessee. Van Aswegen played his way into an exemption for that event with a top-25 finish this week.

The top 25 finishers in the Nationwide money list earn PGA Tour cards. Van Aswegen has a chance with three events remaining, including the Nationwide Tour Championship on Oct. 22-25 at Ralston Creek Course at the Daniel Island Club in Charleston, S.C. Van Aswegen stands $98,518 behind the 25th-highest money earner on the Nationwide, and last year's winner of the Tour Championship took in $180,000.