Devil Ball Golf - Golf

Okay, enough with Tiger and Phil. Those guys won't ever have to worry about getting entry into a tournament for the rest of their lives. Further down the money list, though -- way further down -- there are quite a few guys who are in some serious trouble of losing their cards for 2010. And we're now at the last tournament of the season ... meaning they're largely out of free rides and options that don't involve begging sponsors for exemptions.

The rainout of the Viking Classic two weeks ago was a devastating blow to the PGA card hopes of a dozen on-the-bubble golfers. Mother Nature eliminated the margin of error, and now the Children's Miracle Network is the final hope for some big names. The cut line is No. 125 on the money list, and here are some of the people we'll be watching:

121. Ricky Barnes: Johnny Painter Cap nearly made history at the U.S. Open at Bethpage this summer, but since then has gone into total freefall. 

124. Rich Beem: One of the few guys to best Tiger Woods in a major and live to tell the tale, Beem won the PGA Championship in 2002 despite a furious charge from Woods.

125. David Duval: Once one of the world's finest golfers who showed a brief flash of hope with his strong finish at Bethpage, he's since slid back down the list.

126. Chris Riley: Onetime Ryder Cup member with two top-5 finishes at the PGA (2002, 2004).

138. Chris DiMarco: The loser in that famous 2005 Masters duel with Tiger; he has six top-10 major finishes. 

141. Rocco Mediate: Also a loser in an even more famous battle with Tiger. Surely you don't need to be reminded.

This weekend's for golf fans only, but that's a shame, because there'll be every bit as much drama at Disney as there has been at everything short of a major. Expect to see a lot of long, nervous looks at short putts. Three feet doesn't seem like a long way to go, but when you're talking about your future career, it can stretch a mile.

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16 Comments

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  1. Peter D
    1. Posted by Peter D Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:00 pm EST

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    duval should be exempt for life
  2. teddyshin
    2. Posted by teddyshin Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:21 pm EST

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    If I remember correctly, Duval basically abanded golf to snowboard when he was on top of his game.
  3. AdamP
    3. Posted by AdamP Tue Nov 10, 2009 2:48 pm EST

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    Does anyone really care about this tourament? The best golf after the FedEx Cup in played overseas. Europe last month, the great WGC event in China last week and then this week good tournaments in Hong Kong and Australia leading up to Dubai. Way more top 50 World Ranked players playing there so why are you focused on a tournament of guys who arent even in tthe 125 for the year?
  4. R
    4. Posted by R Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:15 pm EST

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    I'm waiting to see if Brian Gay actually plays this week. He played last week in China at the HSBC and intends to fly across the world to play in a fall series event? Dude, you're in the top 20 in earnings this year and I think that gets you into all the majors next year. Take the week off and let one of the guys trying to hold onto their card get a spot in the field.
  5. Manny K
    5. Posted by Manny K Tue Nov 10, 2009 3:28 pm EST

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    Interesting about Gay. Tourney was awesome at the HSBC last week...2 questions: 1, does Tiger and Co get paid an appearance fee even if it's a WGC event? 2, how do these sponsors make money in tournies like the the disney? Can advertising exposure really be that great? 15-20,000 tickets per day, at a price of $40 a ticket is equivalent to the amount of money that one player gets for 2nd place practically. Now throw in some corporate tent and concessions, whoopty do.
  6. Go Chargers
    6. Posted by Go Chargers Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:12 pm EST

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    I would like to see ALL 6 on the above list do great this week.
  7. Mobius
    7. Posted by Mobius Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:32 pm EST

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    Ok, so the tournament this week is not Emmy award winning level drama. But it is soap opera level drama and there would not be soap operas unless there were bunches of people still interested. Good luck guys.
  8. NightWing
    8. Posted by NightWing Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:20 pm EST

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    Great post, Mobius/Post #7! I'm TOTALLY sucked into this melodrama, so I'll be watching this tournament (along with football and basketball, of course!)...
  9. qwestisthebest
    9. Posted by qwestisthebest Tue Nov 10, 2009 5:22 pm EST

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    You can tell who is the good golfer. Win one tour every year.
  10. Kirk W
    10. Posted by Kirk W Tue Nov 10, 2009 6:29 pm EST

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    Come on Ricky Fowler!
  11. Ebuyoyo
    11. Posted by Ebuyoyo Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:14 pm EST

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    come on
    Discount Golf Clubs
    www.golfclubhotsale.com
  12. eugene
    12. Posted by eugene Tue Nov 10, 2009 10:40 pm EST

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    Dude you would care if your income for the next year came down to one tournament.
  13. hal
    13. Posted by hal Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:40 am EST

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    Brian Gay lives a mile from the course. Why not play and sleep in your own bed. Hope he wins.
  14. AdamP
    14. Posted by AdamP Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:13 am EST

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    Eugene - I am not doubting that it's a lot of pressure for the guys who are trying to keep their card. All I am saying is they are in that position by not playing well all year and just because it's the last tournament doesn't mean it'll be top level golf or worthy of a blog.
    My main point is the golf overseas - which this blog has ignored - has higher quality play and players this time of year. 15 of the top 20 in the world were playing last week in China. Tiger and Ogilvy play in Australia this week. Another big number of the world's top 50 will be in Hong Kong. I very much enjoy watching the Golf Channel Sunday mornings this time of year and catching those tournaments.
  15. rememberlaughter
    15. Posted by rememberlaughter Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:45 am EST

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    As much as I love the game of Golf, having to keep my card and the stress that goes with it would probably make me end of hating the game, in other words it would no longer be fun to play when your livelyhood is at stake!!
  16. Carlo
    16. Posted by Carlo Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:51 am EST

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    WTF happened to David Duval.
    I remember him being number 1 way before Tiger was around.
    How did he fall off so badly?
    Must of been hanging out with Andre Agassi.

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