Most golf fans have daydreamed about being one of the pros on the PGA TOUR. We see the fame, the big purses, the glory, the ability to give back through so many charitable causes and we wish we could be there, if only for a few moments.

It can be a charmed life, no doubt about it. But there is sometimes a sentiment out there that golfers have it easy and this is ultimately overlooking the sacrifices it takes to make it to the big time, and the ongoing effort it takes to remain there.

Yes, they’re not digging ditches or cleaning up circus manure for a dollar. But it is easy to forget just how hard it is to be one of the top 125 golfers on the TOUR. And this week, when countless guys are literally fighting for their jobs as they scramble for a spot in the FedExCup Playoffs, is a good week to remember.

The best players in the world, those at the top of the tree, get endorsement deals with perks like private jet flying time, and enough money to cover all of their expenses and more.

But prize money is obviously tied to performance and while the best in the game are making regular checks, those on the periphery can go multiple weeks essentially losing money if they’re not making cuts.

Most jobs in the world have a level of accountability when it comes to performance. If you don’t perform, you run the risk of being told to find employment elsewhere. But most jobs don’t need you to put up your own money for the chance to make your paycheck.

Don’t get me wrong, TOUR pros are certainly well looked after with perks like courtesy cars and player dining during tournaments. Plus, the TOUR provides great health benefits and an excellent pension plan as well as great extras like childcare. Of course the money players can make is also more than a lot of people see in a decade.

But don’t forget players are paying for their accommodations and flights to get there. They’re also shelling out for their caddie’s weekly fee (most caddies get a flat rate plus a percentage of earnings) and paying others in the entourage like a coach, agent or perhaps sports psychologist. Tipping locker-room and other staff is also customary.

For every Jason Day leading the money list at over $7.5million from his 16 starts there is someone like Charlie Beljan who has just $11,160 from 13 starts. You can see how expenses could affect the latter.

For those well entrenched in the Playoffs already these issues are small. And that is the point. The best way to have a chance at the really good life on the TOUR is to make sure you are inside the top 125 of the FedExCup, securing your place at least another year. If you miss the boat, it is a significant difference to your way of life.

Of course if you finish 126-200 you get another chance in the Web.com Tour Finals and if you are 126-150 you have conditional status on TOUR, but in reality that means limited starts with little choice of which events they will be, making the struggle just as real the following season.

While they’re certainly first world issues, they exist none-the-less and it is important to remember when you think of the stress many players are going through this week at Sedgefield Country Club in the Wyndham Championship.

With it all on the line, the pressure most certainly builds.

Last week’s champ Ryan Moore admitted his charge towards victory at the John Deere Classic was likely much easier given his job for next year was already secure. While others were worried about their livelihood, he was just focused on winning.

Plenty of players are trying to make the last ditch push. It is no surprise to see every player ranked from No. 114-135 is entered in the tournament. Others lower can still hold out hope of a miracle – after all Davis Love III claimed victory last year and he jumped from No. 186 to 76th, the largest move in the event’s history. The runner-up Jason Gore also booked his place after starting the week in 166th.

The man at 124th, Australian Matt Jones, has been here before. In 2008 he finished 127th but made the playoffs as it was the final year of having 144 players in the opening event. In 2009 he would be the first man outside looking in, finishing 126th on the points list. Just two years later once again he found himself just off the pace in 127th and had to get his place on tour back via the PGA TOUR Qualifying Tournament.

He turned his fortunes around by winning the Shell Houston Open in 2014, sending him towards the penthouse and despite backing it up with a decent year last season, 2015-16 has been a different story.

Without a single top-10 in 26 starts Jones is staring down the barrel of conditional status should he fail to fire at Sedgefield. The bad news is his five starts at the venue has elicited three missed cuts and a 69th placing. The good news, his most recent trip in 2013 was a T5, including a final round 62.

Whee Kim sits on the bubble at 125th. The South Korean had his card this year only through the fact he finished inside the top 125 on the money list last season, a luxury he doesn’t hold this year. But he is boosted by his third place last week, which rocketed him into the playoff mix.

In 126th and 127th respectively are former winners on TOUR in Scott Stallings (three wins) and Kyle Stanley. More proof that every season is a new one where every point counts. You cannot stand on your wins past the two-year exemption you receive and must find a way to continue your form. You can at least play out of the past champion category in a worst case scenario, although you get limited starts from there.

Going a little further down the line you have Steve Wheatcroft at 135th. A particular heartbreaking spot for him given he was in great shape to lock up his future a few weeks back at the RBC Canadian Open. But a bladed bunker shot into water on the 72nd hole as he was looking for a win cost him not just a chance at the trophy, but a potential playoff spot as well.

A long way further down the line sit several players around the 200th spot bubble hoping to at least get a shot in the web.com Finals.

Two-time TOUR winners D.A. Points (197th) and Matt Every (198th) are just inside the mark although Every is exempt next season courtesy of his win in the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

D.H. Lee (199th), a two-time winner in Japan and Alex Prugh (200th) hold the final two spots currently on the list as they tee it up to try and protect their place.

Behind them sit eight players with them in the crosshairs. Lucas Lee (204th), Tom Gillis (211th), Brendon Todd (212th), Dicky Pride (214th), Darron Stiles (218th), Arjun Atwal (233rd), Jarrod Lyle (237th) and Robert Allenby (239th) would like to make a move.

Rhein Gibson (202nd) is also in the field but he sits high enough (35th) on the web.com list to secure a place in the finals. Lyle is in the last start of a medical, looking for $201,796 for a full TOUR card, or at least a significant enough finish to get conditional status or a spot in the web finals.

Perhaps Lyle is one of the greatest examples of how it can be a battle. Now a two-time cancer survivor he has left his two young girls and wife back in Australia as he desperately fights to give them the best life he can provide. Try telling a man who was told he was almost certain to die twice he has it easy.

Good luck to all at Sedgefield this week, we know those who make the grade have certainly earned it.