It was a heart-stopping finish and a life-changing day for Perks, the world's 203rd-ranked player, who earned $1.08 million, a trip to the Masters in two weeks and a five-year Tour exemption.

Had Nicklaus won, he would have earned a two-year Tour exemption, and he would have avoided having to qualify this week.

Standing 51st in points and with his Tour exemption in jeopardy, he put together a furious finish by winning two majors in the final five weeks of the season.

Having struggled to build on that win, in 2001 McFarlane played only a few tournaments as he joined Sky Sports as a golf commentator, despite still having over a year left on his European Tour exemption.

A winner's check for $1.44 million and a five-year Tour exemption was his.

He led after each of the first three rounds and earned $540,000 and a two-year Tour exemption.

Last year, Bladon appeared on the Golf Channel reality series "The Big Break IV," where he fell short of winning a batch of 2006 European Tour exemptions.

Big Break Ireland: Six men and six women will head to Ireland in search of an $80,000 pot of gold and two Tour exemptions.

Entering the tournament, Duke stood 51st on the PBA points list, 12 behind the "cut line" to earn a Tour exemption for 2008-09.

"I still do not believe it's happening," said Sindelar, who will savor the Tour exemption he earned with the victory, which will allow him to play for two more years, almost until he reaches the senior tour.