Fun And Stress At Disney

Doug Ferguson on the strange dichotomy that is Thursday's Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Disney, where players come for a vacation or, to play for their livelihood.

For the pressure of trying to perform with so much at stake, few regular PGA Tour events can match the tension of a golf tournament held on the expansive property of a resort that bills itself as the "Happiest Place on Earth."

The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic gets under way Thursday on the Palm and Magnolia courses at Disney, with the opening two rounds a pro-am format.

The top 125 on the money list keep full exempt status on the PGA Tour next year, with Billy Mayfair smack on the bubble at No. 125. He has a lead of $2,665 over Trevor Immelman, who already is safe next year from his five-year exemption for winning the 2008 Masters. Mayfair is only $3,504 clear of No. 127 Gary Christian, a 41-year-old rookie from England.

"It's kind of nice to get to that stage now where you have to perform," Christian said Wednesday. "This is it. You've got one more chance, and do good or you go home."

Brian Wacker breaks down the bubble boys who will be the final class of players trying to secure their card at Disney before the 2013 "calendar year" schedule kicks in.