Performances Under Real Pressure at Las Vegas PGA Tour Stop

No sport quite matches up to golf when it comes to watching players perform under pressure. The Ryder Cup was great theater, regardless of the outcome, on many levels. The Frys.com Open this weekend in Las Vegas is another prime example, as much is going on with just a few events left in the golfing season.

There are 2 separate races going on: one for the haves and one for the have-nots. All of the top guys are trying to win or make a big enough check between this week and the next two events to get into the final top 30 on the money list and qualify for the no-cut, money give-away that they call the Tour Championship. Not a lot of pressure there, granted, but a nice contest nonetheless.

The Real Pressure involves the guys trying to finish in the top 125 to retain their playing privileges for next year. For those who don’t make it, there is the prospect of returning to the dreaded Q-school. There are a lot of quality, name golfers hovering in the danger zone - names like Jason Gore, John Cook & Paul Azinger. Lee Westwood has a bull’s-eye on his back at the number 125 spot. Then there are those who must make some decent money to get back into the top 125: former PGA Tour winners like Rich Beem, Jonathan Kaye, Brad Faxon & Bernhard Langer.

Stay tuned as we watch the heroics, and the choking, begin.