Nobody is more aware than myself that time is running out. The bottom line is that I have two weeks left in which to secure my card for the 1999 season without returning to the lottery of the qualifying school. If I have to go back there, so be it - but I'd much prefer to stay away, which is why I'm playing in Las Vegas this week and Florida next week even though I'm exhausted having spent 15 of the last 16 weeks travelling coast-to-coast to play tournament golf.

The pressure is really on. Everyone in the zone who has yet to guarantee a playing card for next season is feeling it. I have to give tremendous credit to Phil Tataurangi for what he did in the Michelob Championship in Williamsburg on Sunday, escaping from the zone with a top-two finish that ensures he plays wherever and whenever he likes next year. That is what we are all chasing, and I know I have it in me to achieve it, too.

Really, I have two things to aim at in the next two tournaments - the Las Vegas International which starts tomorrow and the Walt Disney Classic in Lake Buena Vista next week. One, I can win the $60,000 or so I need to ensure I keep my card; or, two, if I can win $25,000, at least I will secure a place between 125 and 150 in the moneylist which will ensure that I go straight to the final qualifying school without the need to attend pre-qualifying. It would also mean a place on the Nike Tour next season and the possibility of up to 15 outings on the regular tour.

I was under par again in the Michelob, which was played on a really tough course. However, I am just so tired now after such a long time on the road that, although I'm playing well, I find it difficult at times to get on a roll. The consistency isn't as good as I'd like. Every couple of holes, I'm inclined to let a stupid shot slip in - and then I'm forced to recover with a birdie. But I have just got to hang in there. I've worked too hard and fought so hard this season to let go too easily. I'm proud of myself, the way I've played this season. I believe I'm a much better player now than when I set out and, even if mentally and physically I am close to burn out, I still believe I have it in me to put together four consistently good rounds and get the cheque I need to ensure my playing rights next season.

The other day, in Williamsburg, I was on the practice range alongside David Duval who went on to win the tournament. The guy is just unbelievable, a superb ball striker, and anyone who comes into contact with him can't but be impressed with his attitude and his talent. The way he was hitting balls beside me just blew my mind. Yet, a few years ago he couldn't get his tour card and had to graduate through the Nike Tour. I can take considerable solace from that, and I have tremendous belief in my own ability.

I have done well in the last few weeks, but golf is so fickle. If you take two weeks ago at the Texas Open, the player in the very last threesome of the second round birdied the last and a whole lot of guys, including myself, who had been sitting on the cut mark at two-under par, went out. That was a real killer but it's the sort of thing you have to live with.

Thankfully, there was no ProAm in Las Vegas yesterday, which meant that I could take a badly needed rest day. Funny thing is, even though I am tired, I am really looking forward to this week. The Las Vegas tournament is played over five days, on three different courses, and tired as I am, I have got to keep driving myself on.

There is a thing called pride, and I have a lot of that. You have to drive yourself on, and at times I've got so wound up that my caddie Travis (a great guy!!) has been telling me every couple of holes to take it easy. The money is out there to be won. This week's tournament in Las Vegas has $1.9 million in prizemoney and I know from my performances in the Canadian Open and the BC Open within the last month or so that I have what it takes. All it takes, too, is one week to change everything. Look at what Tataurangi managed to do.

I intend to go all out for the next two weeks to either secure my tour card or else get to final qualifying school. If I don't have to go to qualifying school, then I'll be home in Birr - where I know everyone is backing me - pretty soon. If I have to go to tour school, it'll be a little bit longer. One way or the other, I'll be back to spend time there over the winter.

Firstly, though, I hope to have some luck in Las Vegas - on the course, not on the one-arm bandits.

(In an interview with Philip Reid).