“It’s people’s livelihoods, the dreams they’re trying to pursue."

While the focus is on David Duval, the Q-school second stage stories of men like Jason Gore and Joseph Bramlett as told by Tod Leonard prove just as interesting. Though somehow I doubt this story carries the same weight when Q-School shifts to a Nationwide Tour-only format in a year or two.

“It’s a different week. It’s a trying week,” Duval said. “It’s people’s livelihoods, the dreams they’re trying to pursue. I know I’m going to be able to play, regardless (of the results), and it’s still stressful for me.

“People who haven’t been out (on the PGA Tour) and don’t have that kind of history or record behind them, (the pressure) is exponential.”

The golfers who survive second stage go on to play in the finals. And even if they don’t earn a PGA Tour card in December, they will get some kind of status on the Nationwide Tour. Miss out at second stage, however, and unless you’ve earned status some other way, you’re back to Double-A golf or lower.

"The second stage is the hardest,” said veteran Jason Gore. “You can cut the tension with a knife.”