The winner of the Chrysler Championship will pocket $864,000 from the $4.8-million purse and earn a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. But not everyone will be disappointed if they don't walk away with the first prize. In fact, they might be just as thrilled to achieve some other goals.
As the final full-field event of the 2003 season, this week's tournament at the Westin Innisbrook Resort will crown more than just a winner. It will help determine who plays in next week's Tour Championship. It will help determine the field for next April's Masters. It will even help determine who will be a fully exempt player next year on the PGA Tour, and who will not.
Here is a rundown of the tournament within a tournament this week:
Tour Championship: The season-ending event is for the top 30 money winners only, and earning a spot is not only prestigious but worth a considerable sum of money. There is no cut at next week's $6-million tournament at Champions Golf Club in Houston. The winner receives $900,000 but just showing up guarantees a minimum of $50,000. Every player from 31st to 40th on the money list is entered in the Chrysler Championship, hoping to crack the top 30.
U.S. Open and British Open: For players not already exempt for next summer's major championships, finishing among the top 20 money winners on the PGA Tour can do the job. That won't be determined until next week, but a player who moves into the top 30 this week gives himself another chance.
Masters: For players not already invited to Augusta National next spring, finishing among the top 40 money winners is another way to join the party. This is the last chance to earn entry that way.
Invitationals: Players who finish among the top 70 money winners assure themselves spots in the specialty events such as the Bay Hill Invitational, Colonial and Memorial.
Top 125: In order to be fully exempt next season and be able to gain entry into any full-field event, a player must finish among the top 125 money winners. That's why there will be some players grinding to make the cut on Friday, then grinding to finish as high as possible on Sunday.
Top 150: For those players in the field who miss the top 125, all is not lost. As long as they remain in the top 150, they get a pass to the finals of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, where they can attempt to earn one of 35 tour cards and improve their position. Failing that, players ranked 126th to 150th on the money list still have limited status next year.
Finishing below 150: These players will have no status on the PGA Tour in 2004, unless they are past winners of a tournament. In order to regain their card, they will have to endure the second stage (72 holes) and final stage (108 holes) of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.
