United States, Sept 24: If some players seem a little more determined, if their smiles are more forced in September and October than they were in February or March, it's simply because their jobs on the line.
Only seven weeks remain on the PGA Tour schedule for 2003. That's eight tournaments, but only six full-field events. For those players languishing around the bottom of the top 125 in money earnings, these next few weeks can be exhilarating or devastating. One good week, and they are set for 2004. A bad run, and it's hello Q-School or Nationwide Tour. Maybe worse.
Last year, the No. 125 player in earnings, Jay Williamson, earned $515,445. Even a week that ends in bitter disappointment can be the difference in a player keeping his card.
Cameron Beckman, for example, shot a 64 last Sunday in the third round of the 84 Lumber Classic to take a two-stroke lead. In the final round on that long, 36-hole day, Beckman soared 10 shots higher and lost to J.L. Lewis by five strokes. Just from his body language alone, it was easy to see how low Beckman was feeling about his game as everything seemed to go just slightly wrong over those final 18 holes.

But Beckman's tie for fifth and the accompanying check for $146,000 boosted his earnings to $586,231 for the season and lifted him from 117th place on the money list to 95th. With the few tournaments that remain, Beckman seems to be a lock to finish among the top 125. Good thing, too, because his two-year exemption for winning the 2001 Southern Farm Bureau Classic expires at the end of this season.



The check doesn't even have to very sizable to benefit players who rank 115 to 130 on the money list.



The difference between No. 115 Jose Maria Olazabal (who still has another season remaining on his 1999 Masters exemption) and No. 130 Olin Browne is a mere $58,587.



There are some prominent names among the struggling players who must make cash whenever and wherever possible.



Sweden's Jesper Parnevik is No. 117 with $464,424. Parnevik has played 26 times this year and made 16 cuts, but only gained his first top-10 finish, a tie for fifth, in the 84 Lumber Classic. Parnevik could play as a past champion next year if he fails to finish among the top 125, but that is a difficult way for a guy to play himself back on the Tour.



Billy Andrade is another veteran in need of some cash. Last season he was 42nd in money; this year he is 122nd. In 24 events, Andrade has made 14 cuts and has two top-10s. He also is a former winner on Tour and could go the past champions route.



There's a handful of other former champs in dire straits, players such as Neal Lancaster, Tom Byrum, Dicky Pride, Dennis Paulson, Garrett Willis and Browne. With the exception of Olazabal, No. 125 Spike McRoy and No. 127 Mark Wilson, all the players between Nos. 115-130 are in the field for this week's Valero Texas Open.



The chances are none of these players will win. But it doesn't take a victory, just a good finish to make all the difference.


Bureau Report