For PGA Tour players like Ted Purdy, Children's Miracle Network Classic at Lake Buena Vista is a make-or-break event

From WorldGolf.com News Services

While many of the top golfers on the PGA Tour have been enjoying some down time during the Fall Series schedule, Ted Purdy is the poster child for a group of players who have spent the last several weeks grinding like there's no tomorrow.

Ranked No. 125 on the PGA Tour's money list with $758,734, Purdy enters this week's Children's Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., right on the cut line for fully exempt status on the PGA Tour in 2008. Players who finish this weekend ranked Nos. 126-150 will receive conditional status.

With the possibility of keeping his Tour card and not having to go to Q-School on his mind, Purdy said his intensity level is high for the event, which will be played at the Walt Disney Resort's Palm Course (rounds one and two) and Magnolia Course (rounds three and four). Obviously, a strong finish that would keep him among the top 125 on the final PGA Tour money list of 2007 is the ultimate goal.

"I've been trying to win golf tournaments all year, so nothing's changed, but it's really made me focus," Purdy told reporters. "Getting into the top 125 is an important situation. I've had to reflect on my game, and basically my physical abilities there."

Other players near Purdy in the danger zone include Rich Beem, who is 121st at $818,825, followed by Ben Curtis ($772,321), J.P. Hayes ($771,215), Mathias Gronberg ($764,020), J.B. Holmes ($754,616), Kevin Stadler ($737,276), Brett Quigley ($717,411), Craig Kanada ($713,280) and Harrison Frazar ($698,534). Joe Durant, who is 131st on the money list at $693,573, is exempt next year because of his victory in last year's tournament.

Last week in the Ginn sur Mer Classic, Purdy finished in the top 10 in driving accuracy, driving distance and greens in regulation. However, he finished 51st in the tournament, which was won by first-time PGA Tour winner Daniel Chopra.

"So I think the physical part of the game is there, I'm just losing concentration," Purdy said. "I've never really worked on concentration, never worked on the mental side as much as I think this position is a blessing, because I now really have to focus on the mental side of the game.

"It's just there are a lot of distractions out there that I'm not handling very well. It's probably a blessing in disguise, because I need to work on being more focused. Have more concentration, having more will."

In hopes of remaining in the top 125 on the money list, Purdy is playing in his seventh consecutive event.

"The only one responsible for where I am on the money list is me," Purdy said. "I didn't plan on playing the last seven events."

Even if Purdy makes the cut and plays on the weekend, staying among the top 125 is by no means a lock.

"I made the cut (last week) and lost a spot, so there is no guarantee that just making the cut's going to give me a card," Purdy said. "It's in the back of my mind, but you can't be shooting for that. I need to shoot to get mentally focused. I need to work on my mental game. It's been killing me."

Children's Miracle Network Classic

SITE: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
SCHEDULE: Nov. 1-4
COURSES: Walt Disney Resort - Magnolia Course (7,516 yards, par 72) and Palm Course (7,015 yards, par 72)
PURSE: $4.6 million (winner's share: $828,000)
TV: The Golf Channel (Thursday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m., 8-11 p.m. Eastern)

November 1, 2007