As Paul prepared to leave his home in Florida for this week's Nationwide Tour Championship in Texas he was philosophical about the possibilities that the week holds.

"I probably need to finish inside the top five this week to secure my card but really I am not placing any expectations on myself. I feel I am playing well and have been practising well here in Florida and hope I can carry it over to the event but what will be will be. I feel if I am unable to secure my card in Texas then I am confident enough about the way I am playing to do well at Tour School if I need to."

Paul will have the services of his mind guru Neale Smith, a previous medallist at the PGA Tour School, on the bag this week.  

Paul is currently in 24th place on the money list and with fifth place this week worth US$30,000 it might just be enough to get the job done. There is however another variable that might work in Paul's favour. With Australians Jarrod Lyle and Michael Sim both non members of the Nationwide Tour, if they were to both retain their position inside the top twenty on the money list at the end of the week then, according to the PGA Tour, a further two cards will be granted. Lyle is assured of retaining his position and Sim should be safe so therefore Paul's chances are increased. 

Paul Sheehan and Kevin Stadler are two players inside the top twenty who are not playing this week. Both have gained starts in China at the HSBC Championship and so the field is reduced to 60 with every single one of them capable of winning and leapfrogging their way on to the PGA Tour in 2007.

The golf course at Houstonian Golf Club in Richmond in Texas is a Rees Jones designed layout at which the event is being played for the first time.