LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- As has become the norm on the PGA Tour in recent years, the Children's Miracle Network Classic at Walt Disney World stands as the last chance for players to nail down their spots in the top 125 on the final money list and secure their full 2009 playing privileges.

Entering the week, Brad Adamonis ranks 120th on the money list with $862,413 in earnings, He is followed by No. 121 Tim Petrovic at $856,611; No. 122 Nick Watney at $855,863; No. 123 Michael Allen at $847,863; No. 124 Shane Bertsch at $841,248; and No. 125 Jeff Overton at $840,809.

Just on the outside looking in are No. 126 Martin Laird, who trails the 125th spot by $37,737; No. 127 Charles Warren at $40,115 behind; No. 128 David Toms at $41,695 behind; No. 129 Patrick Sheehan at $45,480 back; and No. 130 Mark Calcavecchia, who is $55,999 behind.

Stephen Ames put an exclamation point on the 2007 PGA TOUR season and the Fall Series a year ago. He shot a final-round 68 to win the Children's Miracle Network Classic by one stroke over Tim Clark. The win was Ames' third Tour title and second consecutive in Florida. Ames also won the 2006 Players Championship.

The Children's Miracle Network Classic dates to 1971, when Jack Nicklaus won the first of three consecutive titles. The event has always been held at the Walt Disney World Resort's Magnolia or Palm Courses, or both. In 1994, the Eagle Pines Course was also in the rotation.

Ames has had another solid season, finishing 31st in the FedExCup. He has earned $2,263,397 this season, putting him over the $2 million mark for the third consecutive year.

Boo Weekley, winner of this year's Verizon Heritage, returns to the PGA Tour for the first time since playing for the winning U.S. team at the Ryder Cup in Kentucky.

Following the win, and the attention that came with his performance, Weekley appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and dropped the green flag at Talladega's fall NASCAR race. Since the Ryder Cup, Weekley has also spent time hunting and fishing. Weekley finished the year No. 33 in the FedExCup standings and currently ranks No. 25 on the money list, with $2,388,182 -- including five top-10 finishes. This is Weekley's third trip to this event.

Erik Compton, who has overcome two heart transplants to compete for a spot on the PGA Tour, accepted a sponsor's exemption to play this week. Compton's story of perseverance and determination reached new heights last month when he posted a 4-under-par 68 to qualify for the second stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School just five months after his second heart transplant. Compton struggled through the first 54 holes (76-75-77) before recording the low round of the day among 76 players at the Crandon Park Golf Course in suburban Miami.

There are four players from the 2008 Ryder Cup in the field: Stewart Cink, J.B. Holmes, Justin Leonard and Boo Weekley. There are also nine players inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking playing this week, led by Cink, who checks in at No. 14

Past winners from this event competing this week are defending champion Stephen Ames (2007), Joe Durant (2006) and two-time winner John Huston (1992 and 1998). There are also five former PGA Tour Rookies of the Year playing: Stewart Cink (1997), Steve Flesch (1998), Carlos Franco (1999), Charles Howell III (2001) and Jonathan Byrd (2002)

Fresh off his first PGA Tour win in Las Vegas, Marc Turnesa will tee it up at the Children's Miracle Network Classic with former North Carolina State roommates and teammates Carl Pettersson and Tim Clark. Pettersson won the Wyndham Championship earlier this year and currently ranks 48th in the Official World Golf Ranking, while Clark ranks 40th. Clark was the runner-up in Orlando last year, one stroke behind winner Stephen Ames.

Robert Allenby and Justin Leonard are tied for second on the PGA Tour this year, with eight top-10 finishes. Jim Furyk is the leader, with nine top-10 performances.

Tom Lehman is making his 15th start at this event, dating to 1984 and his 11th in succession. Lehman has made the cut in 12 of 14 starts and has seven top-25 finishes.

This week Stephen Ames will attempt to successfully defend his Children's Miracle Network Classic title in what would be his second title at the season-ending event. There are five multiple winners of this tournament, led by Jack Nicklaus three titles. The others to win at least twice at the event at Walt Disney World are John Huston, Larry Nelson, Tim Simpson and Tiger Woods. Only Nicklaus (1972 and 1973) and Simpson (1990) have won in successive seasons.

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