The conclusion of the Bassmaster Southern Open season last weekend delivered several critical berths and qualifications. Randall Tharp (pictured) and Andy Montgomery, respectively 1st and 2nd in the points, earned a berth in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic.
BassFans likely recognize Tharp's name. He's a second-year FLW Tour pro who's had a remarkable run of success in the Opens. He won back-to-back Southerns in 2008. He's fished five Opens in his career and finished in the Top 5 in four of them.
"For anybody who knows anything about tournament bass fishing, going to the Classic is almost unreal," Tharp said. "I've fished most every championship there is, but never the Classic. This is what I've wanted to do for quite some time."
Montgomery, meanwhile, is a fourth-year FLW Tour pro who finished inside the Top 15 at each of this year's three Southern Opens and won the Smith Lake stop.
"I can't wait to get there," Montgomery said of the Classic. "I'm only 28, so to do it so early is great.".
In addition to the Classic spots, the Top 7 in the Southern points earned a guaranteed invite into the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series, although BASS routinely calls down as far as 12th to fill the Elite field. Here's a look at the Top 12. Note the presence of other FLW Tour pros like Ott DeFoe and JT Kenney, as well as "JVD."
1. Randall Tharp -- Ala. -- 818
2. Andy Montgomery -- S.C. -- 807
3. Terry Scroggins -- Fla. -- 749
4. David Kilgore -- Ala. -- 744
5. Bobby Lane -- Fla. -- 743
6. Jason Knapp -- Pa. -- 734
6. Ott DeFoe -- Tenn. -- 734
8. Trevor Fitzgerald -- Fla. -- 719
9. JT Kenney -- Fla. -- 706
10. Derek Remitz -- Ala. -- 697
11. Davy Hite -- S.C. -- 684
12. Jonathon VanDam -- Mich. -- 666
