Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy is in serious danger of missing the US PGA tour playoffs for the first time but at least, unlike under pressure Greg Chalmers, his job next year is safe.
Ogilvy has been a staple in the playoffs since inception in 2007 but with just the top 125 golfers qualifying and the 2006 US Open champion sitting 158th with time running out, he is well and truly under the pump.
Only four weeks remain in the regular season, with one of those reserved for the PGA Championship where not everyone gets a start.
One of those players currently not eligible for the seasons final major is Chalmers, who faces a nail-biting month given he sits 124th on the list as it stands.
Unlike Ogilvy, who has another year to run on an exemption for winning multiple tournaments, Chalmers must make the PGA tour playoffs or face a trip back to the secondary tour playoffs to fight for a card in 2014-15.
It is why this week’s Canadian Open at the Royal Montreal Golf Club is so vital for the pair.
“It’s hard to avoid thinking about it but I have been in this situation before as early as last year,” Chalmers, who bounced down from the main tour to play the secondary tour in 2005, 2007 and 2008 said.
“This is the PGA tour, it’s not hit and giggle. It is extremely competitive and there is not much room for error.”
The 40-year-old Western Australian survived the last month in 2013 to finish 122nd on the regular season list and then progressed through to the second week of the finals.
“I’m aware of the pressure you are under but ideally you are thinking about winning the tournament and that focus will take care of everything,” he added.
“The other thing you have to remember is the world doesn’t end if you’re not successful. I’ve been through it before and noticed the sun still rose in the morning.”
Ogilvy won’t be the only big name missing the playoffs without something special in the next month, with Tiger Woods languishing in 214th on the points list following an injury-affected year.
The 14-time major champion will attempt to garner enough points at the upcoming WGC Bridgestone Invitational and the PGA Championship.
Robert Allenby sits just one spot above Chalmers in 123rd on the points list but has a get out of jail free card if he fails to qualify thanks to being inside the top 50 all time money earners on the US PGA Tour.
Stuart Appleby (92nd) and Aaron Baddeley (90th) should be fine to hold a playoff spot but are trying to cement a higher seeding, while former event champion Nathan Green is just looking to strike gold in a rare appearance on the main tour.
Oliver Goss rounds out the Australian contingent with the recently turned pro 20-year-old needing a significant finish to earn his way into the upcoming secondary tour playoffs, where he can attempt to join the main tour next season.
Australians not playing this week already headed to the playoffs are world No.1 Adam Scott (17th), John Senden (25th), Jason Day (30th), Marc Leishman (38th), Matt Jones (40th) and Steven Bowditch (48th).
Scott Gardiner (182nd) and Bronson La’Cassie (183rd) need a miracle but also must remain inside the top 200 to get a start on the secondary tour playoffs.
Over on the secondary tour the fight to get inside the top 75 to be part of their playoffs is just as intense.
Cameron Percy (31st) leads the Aussies with Alistair Presnell (36th), Rod Pampling (41st), Ashley Hall (44th), Steve Allan (49th), Adam Crawford (64th), Mathew Goggin (65th) and Gavin Coles (73rd) currently inside the mark.
Aron Price (79th), James Nitties (92nd), Green (96th), Nick O’Hern (129th) and Peter Lonard (150th) have work to do.
Meanwhile, two-time cancer survivor Jarrod Lyle will make his return to competitive golf in the USA this week on the secondary tour as a warm up for his return to the big stage next season.
