Opinion | Scrapping for every cent to keep cherished European Tour card
The competition to determine who retains the right to stay on the European circuit is at the sharp end and the stress is beginning to show
It's five pages of double-sided A4, headlined "Race to Dubai" - and if you're a European Tour player whose name isn't on the first two sides, this is a stressful time.
Finish outside the top 110 and it's goodbye to your right to play on tour, a scrap to win it back at qualifying school. With only one event left, in Perth next week, anyone who's earned less than about €240,000 (HK$2.4 million) faces losing their livelihood.
Okay, it beats digging ditches, but there were plenty "on the bubble" and desperate for a score at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday.
Finish outside the top 110 and it's goodbye to your right to play on tour, a scrap to win it back at qualifying school
Tom Lewis, 23, was at 104 in the rankings before Hong Kong with €236,573.74; every cent counts.
The former Rookie of the Year set a record score for an amateur at the 2011 British Open, and won the Portugal Masters that year, only his third event as a pro - this golfing lark's a doddle. It's been a tough education since against hardened pros.
"The win definitely hindered me a bit," said the Englishman after finishing on one under par for a share of 46th, which keeps him at 104 (€241,522.98).
"In terms of confidence and belief … expectation especially, that I've had to try to control. Every single week I feel like I should be up there and every single week I haven't.
"[After 2011], you think 'I'm going to win every three weeks' - then you realise the guys out here all find a way of getting around in different ways, a lot are better at some things than others, but they all find a way of getting around.