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Smith, others feeling pressure

As the PGA season winds down, the chances to finish in the top 125 get slimmer.

By BOB HARIG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 20, 2001

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- For golf's fat cats, the National Car Rental Golf Classic provides a perfect working vacation. Their high six-figure-and-beyond incomes secure, they can bring the family to Walt Disney World and play in a low-pressure tournament that offers a pleasant diversion from the grind of regular tour life.

But for many players, this is anything but a good time. With three events left in the official season, their golfing lives are at stake. And if they are fighting for their professional survival, it can only mean that it has been a trying year.

"It is kind of a mental challenge every day," said Jerry Smith, a second-year pro from Scottsdale, Ariz. "You always look at it and you are always sort of aware and everybody asks you about it, your family, friends, media. There is no question it is in the back of your mind."

Smith is referring to the all-important money list, the measure of who makes it and who does not.

Without winning, the way to secure all-exempt playing privileges for 2002 is to finish among the top 125 money winners. Smith has been fighting that list all year, coming into the tournament ranked 120th. Shooting his second straight 6-under 66, putting him a shot off the lead through two rounds, did not necessarily make him feel better.

"You try to focus on your golf," said Smith, who trailed leader Kaname Yokoo of Japan by one shot. "I have really tried to just say I don't care what happens. You try to play your game. I think those are the guys in the end coming down the stretch who will persevere."

Smith put himself in an excellent position to secure his status for next year. A victory would give him a two-year exemption, but even a top-10 finish in the $3.4-million event likely would assure a place in the top 125.

Yokoo followed an opening 66 with 65 to complete 36 holes at 131, 13 under. Davis Love (66) and Argentina's Jose Coceres (65) were tied for third, two shots back. Tiger Woods shot 67 and was five back and tied for 15th.

That was the same position as Blaine McCallister, but their plights could not be more different. While Woods is trying to win for the sixth time this year and add to his tour-leading total of $5.5-million, McCallister, at age 43, finds himself struggling to stay on tour.

Two years ago, he was in a similar position and missed a 3-foot putt on the final green of the final tournament in Jackson, Miss., costing him by one shot a spot in the top 125. He returned to the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament -- and won.

Last year, he had one of his best seasons, earning more than $963,000 and finishing second at the Compaq Classic where he lost in a playoff. But until Friday, he had missed five consecutive cuts. McCallister is 159th on the money list, more than $150,000 out of the top 125.

"For me, it's been a very frustrating time," said McCallister, a five-time tour winner. "Especially coming off the year I had. I was really looking forward to 2001. I was really excited about it. I go out and played on the West Coast, made all three cuts. And from there, it's been kind of a struggle.

"I wish I could describe it. It's not something you can describe. It's not something you want to go through."

And yet it is inevitable for some. Brad Elder, who entered the week 124th on the money list, missed his sixth consecutive cut. Paul Goydos, on the bubble at 125th, also missed, as did Valrico's Pete Jordan, who is 126th.

There is a strong possibility they will be passed this weekend, perhaps by Tampa's Woody Austin, who is 132nd. He was tied for ninth after shooting 65.

"The bottom line is, if you don't play well, you get passed fairly quickly," Goydos said.

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