Former Major League pitcher John Smoltz to play Nationwide event

It was just last year that former NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice was given a sponsor's exemption into the Fresh Express Classic, a Nationwide Tour event that was clearly trying to make headlines by giving up a spot in the field to one of the biggest names in football. But the decision backfired horribly, as Rice finished DFL and looked more like a weekend hack than a guy who could make a living playing professional golf. As expected, Rice's decision to steal a spot away from a worthy Nationwide Tour player drew the ire of many in golf media world. A year later, another Nationwide Tour event, the South Georgia Classic, decided to try the gimmick again, handing a sponsor's exemption to former Major League pitcher John Smoltz, who will be teeing it up in Thursday's first round. Like Rice, you'd expect Smoltz to take some heat for stealing a spot from one of the guys on the mini-tour. That's until you see his golf resume. His best round is a 63, he made the cut las...