Maggert continues to live on bubble line

• By Ryan Lavner
• Nov 11, 2012 2:56 PM ET

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – His PGA Tour season complete, Jeff Maggert found no use in rehashing what he could have done differently in 2012. On Sunday afternoon, he stood at No. 124 on the money list, this close to retaining his playing privileges for next year, but a few scenarios remained that could see him headed to Q-School’s final stage.

“I know it always comes down to this week,” he said in a private moment at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, “but you really can’t take any shots for granted all year. Those little rounds where you give up on Sunday, well, that $4,000 can make a huge difference sometimes.”

When he completed his round, Maggert was at No. 124, nearly $30,000 clear of Kevin Chappell. (He began the week 122^nd.) It would take a significant – and historic – back-nine rally from Alexandre Rocha or Vaughn Taylor for Maggert to fall on the wrong side of the 125 bubble.

Why does Maggert, now 48, continue to enter himself in this annual torture test? Frankly, he hasn’t had much of a choice.

In 2011, he was 216^th on the money list.

In 2010, he was 121^st.

In 2009, he was 128^th.

In 2008, he was 162^nd.

In 2007, he was 123^rd.

He practically lives with one foot dangling over the edge.

“It seems like the last few years I’m sticking it right to the end,” Maggert said. “But there’s nothing I can do now. I gave it my all.

“You know, I’ve been lucky. I’ve played the Tour for a long time, and at times it is tough to stay motivated. At home I’ve got my family and I get interested in other things. It’s hard to keep my motivation at a good level for 10 months a year. I have to work on that.”

It was close, once again, but it appears as though he’ll at least have a chance to improve upon that in 2013.