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ORLANDO, Fla. -- After breaking glass, hitting over and around walls and staving off eliminations each week, Josh Warthen (Arroyo Grande, Calif.) and Brian Kontak (Phoenix, Ariz.) will face off in an 18-hole championship match in the finale of GOLF CHANNEL's Big Break: Mesquite, Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET.

The winner of Big Break: Mesquite will receive an exemption to compete in the 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic (Feb. 18-24) on the PGA TOUR, marking the first time a Big Break winner will earn an exemption to play in a PGA TOUR event.

Josh Warthen (Mark Ashman/GOLF CHANNEL)

Brian Kontak (Mark Ashman/GOLF CHANNEL)

In addition to the tournament exemption, the series winner will receive an Adams Golf endorsement contract, including $10,000 cash. Also, Dick's Sporting Goods will provide both $5,000 in cash and a $5,000 shopping spree. Finally, the ultimate winner will drive away in a new 2008 Chrysler Sebring convertible.

Filmed in Mesquite, Nev., the Big Break: Mesquite concept showcases highly skilled golfers competing against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her "Big Break," a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in select professional tournaments and other career-building prizes.

In last week's semifinal episode, the upsets continued on the series as Warthen, 27, ousted Hiroshi Matsuo on the first extra hole following matching even-par 35's in a nine-hole, stroke play contest on the front side of the Palmer Course at the Oasis Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev. Warthen recorded a birdie on the first extra hole to send Matsuo, who was the points leader the first 10 shows, home from the series.

Kontak, who years ago made headlines by lobbying to qualify for the United States Women's Open after Annika Sorenstam competed at the Colonial on the PGA TOUR, easily advanced to the finale with a 3-under 32 that was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 fifth hole.

Making the upset more unexpected was Warthen. The least experienced player in the field survived by escaping elimination early and becoming a force as his confidence grew.

Somewhat like the current PGA TOUR star Will MacKenzie, who took a sabbatical from golf to snow ski and surf before making it on TOUR, Warthen is a surfer-turned-filmmaker-turned-golfer.

His professional career got off to a righteous start last October when he won the first event he played on the California Players Tour. He still plays the circuit and has continued practicing to make the most of both his talent and life.

"I feel like I have this talent for a reason and that's why I'm going for it," said Warthen. "God put golf in my life to teach me to be a responsible human being. This life isn't just about you. I am going to be able to act in a certain way and say stuff that will make people feel good and want to make people see themselves that way."

Kontak, 35, claims that what started off mostly as a joke about the United States Women's Open made him an argument for gender equity in sports.

According to Kontak, it was a good story that took on a life of its own.

"I wasn't trying to impress anyone," explained Kontak. "My whole deal is equality. If we're going to be equal, then let's all be equal. It just got blown way out of proportion. A lot of people misconstrued it as I wanted to play on the LPGA Tour."

Kontak has the talent to play on any tour in golf. He tied for 17th at the 1999 Tucson Open on the PGA TOUR, won the 1999 Canadian Tour Order of Merit and finished fourth on the money list in the 2007 Gateway Tour, including three victories.

One of the more talented players in the series, he almost didn't make it to Big Break: Mesquite. One month prior to the start of filming, Kontak's wife Karen gave birth to the couple's second child. He says that being a father and husband - he keeps a picture of his kids in his golf bag – is the most important thing in his life and considered not playing. He finally decided the opportunity was too good to pass and competed in the show with his wife's blessing.