Chasing the card: Charlie Beljan, Tim Herron retain PGA Tour cards for 2013

The 2012 PGA Tour season is in the books, and for a number of players, Sunday’s final round was likely one of the most nerve-wracking of their career.

For players inside the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list, last week was all about playing well enough to cash a check that allowed you to retain your card.

A select few managed to do just that, going from a potential Web.com schedule to another year of multi-million-dollar purses with four brilliant rounds of golf.

For others … well, Sunday will likely turn into a day they’ll want to forget. Here’s a look a who did (and didn’t do) enough to retain their PGA Tour card for 2013.

Who’s in

Charlie Beljan (Started week at No. 139): Beljan was the clear winner this week. The rookie not only secured his first win at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, he also moved up a whopping 76 spots on the PGA Tour’s money list. Here’s hoping a two-year exemption puts an end to the panic attacks.

Tim Herron (No. 136): If you want to know what staying inside the top 125 means to every player on the PGA Tour, take a look at how Tim Herron — a former PGA Tour winner no less — reacted to making double-bogey on the 17th to finish the tournament at 11-under. After his leaving his putt short on the last hole, Herron kicked his bag … and then walked on it.

Herron, who weighs 250 pounds and goes by the nickname “Lumpy,” said after his round: “Usually when I walk on something, it breaks.” Thankfully, Herron’s clubs, and full-time status, remained intact after the round. He finished the year No. 124 on the money list and will be around for another season.

Kevin Chappell (No. 123): Ladies and gentleman, Mr. 125! Chappell finished T-34 but had to wait and see if a couple other players would knock him from the coveted spot.

Who’s out

Rod Pampling (No. 124): The Aussie started the week dangerously close to the cutoff line, and then blew his chances to bits with a second-round 74 to miss the cut and finish the season at No. 127.

Billy Mayfair (No. 125): Like Pampling, Mayfair needed to make the cut and put together a strong weekend to retain his card. He failed to accomplish the first part of the task and spent the weekend at home. Better luck next time, Billy.

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