Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke, both of whom know what it is like to pocket a million-dollar cheque, still have the chance of winning even more at the Players Championship, Sawgrass in Florida tomorrow.
But while Harrington went into the third round perfectly positioned two clear of the star-studded field at nine under par, fellow Irishman Clarke could well be left to rue a decision last night that backfired badly.
Having moved only four shots behind his Ryder Cup teammate, Clarke bogeyed the short 17th in the gathering gloom and then chose to play the final hole as well when he had the option to stop.
Two years ago Clarke played on in similar circumstances when in contention for the US Open and made a complete mess of a par-five. He finished 30th.
This time he three-putted for another bogey and so on the resumption today was joint 19th and had six strokes to make up.
"If I'd finished par-par it would have been the right thing to do," he said. "I was unlucky at the 17th because I hit a good shot and it rolled against the collar of rough, then at the last I couldn't believe my six-iron didn't get up to the right tier on the green.
"But in the dark I misjudged the first putt and to miss the next one meant it was a very disappointing way to end. I was grinding away and in good shape until then."
Good shape not only to challenge Harrington, but also to have the late tee-off time he wants in the final round so that he can watch the Ireland-England rugby match first.
The bogey-bogey finish was the first real test of Clarke's determination this season to try not to lose his rag. He did manage a smile, but admitted: "It's hard."
Smiles came much more easily to Harrington's face and no wonder after he had played 26 holes in the day in eight under to leave defending champion Craig Perks, former winner Davis Love and Skip Kendall joint second - and favourite Tiger Woods seven back in 29th spot.
It was Woods whom Clarke beat to win the million-dollar first prize in the Andersen Consulting world match play final in 2000 and whom Harrington beat for the same reward at the Target World Challenge last December.
The winner tomorrow will walk away with $1.17million plus a five-year US Tour exemption. But it is the opportunity of capturing golf's unofficial fifth major title that most excites them.
Harrington began this season slowly, but that is nothing new and after three top-10 finishes in the majors last year the Dubliner's priority is to try to peak for the big weeks again.
The Masters at Augusta starts in 12 days' time and a fifth-place finish there 12 months ago can only add to his confidence.
"It's got to help and so, of course, does the win over Tiger, but confidence starts with playing well and I'm very much a work in progress. I probably always will be," he said.
"I'm getting treatment for a sore hip and my ankle hurt a bit too. I think the injuries are related and they played on my mind a bit. My driving got wilder and wilder, but I stayed focused.
"I can't ask for more than to be leading and I should be happy, but it depends how you judge it.
"I've changed some things over the winter and it takes a while before I start to know which ones I should be working on at tournaments."
Asked why he felt the need to make alterations, Harrington answered: "If you try and stand still you go backwards. Everybody is improving out here, so you've got to make the effort."
His willingness to "make the effort" certainly impresses six-major winner Nick Faldo, who was alongside Woods at two under overnight.
"I like his commitment," commented Faldo. "He practises really hard and that's what I keep preaching - you've got to work on the physical, technical and mental side of the game. He is giving it his best shot, so good luck to him."
PA