Robert Allenby and Greg Chalmers will let fate decide whether they play in the prestigious World Golf Championship Match Play tournament.
With just one week left to qualify for the lucrative February 22-26 event at Tucson in Arizona, both Australians have opted not to play at Pebble Beach this week, opening the door for dozens of golfers to leapfrog them into the world top 66.
The best 64 golfers in the world are invited to Tucson, however with American Phil Mickelson already admitting he won't play and Englishman Paul Casey - who dislocated his right shoulder while snowboarding in the off-season - also in doubt, the magic number should be 66.
As a consequence of not playing, Chalmers (61) and Allenby (64) have relinquished control of their destiny and must hope those playing at Pebble Beach or in Dubai on the European Tour fail to overtake them.
Eight of the 10 players beyond No.66 are playing this week - Joost Luiten, Rory Sabbatini, Nicolas Colsaerts, Alex Noren, Spencer Levin, Sean O'Hair, Vijay Singh and Chez Reavie.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
A reasonably high finish could be enough to oust the Australians, while a win from someone placed a little further back could also secure a spot in Tucson. With guaranteed world ranking points and prize money to all participants who play the WGC event, it's a tournament most don't want to miss.
Last year's winner Luke Donald banked $US1.4 million ($A1.3 million) while first-round losers still walked away with an easy $US45,000 ($A42,000).
Ranking points are especially important with the race on for many to find a place in the world top 50 before the Masters, thus securing an invite to the season's opening major.
"I didn't even know qualification ended this week," a surprised Allenby said.
"I thought it was after the LA tournament (next week) but I wouldn't have changed my mind and played this week."
Allenby has made no secret of the fact he isn't the biggest fan of the course at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Tucson and, should he get nudged out of the field, he will instead head to the Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico, played on the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleon course.
"If I was going to miss out on any of the world events this year, the Match Play would be the one," he said. "I don't want to miss out on the others and, for me to play my best golf in Los Angeles next week, I needed a little break.
"Hopefully, I will play really well in LA like I have in previous years (he won at Riviera in 2001) because I do want to play as much as I can so I can get into the top 50 for the WGC at Doral and obviously the Masters in Augusta.
"To do that, I will play a lot of golf, another reason why this little break now is important.
"I needed to work on the areas that need more attention. I need to bring my ball striking in a little so I can be at my best."
Geoff Ogilvy will head the Australian charge in Pebble Beach which also doubles as the return of Tiger Woods to the 2012 US PGA Tour.
Steven Bowditch, Aaron Baddeley, Jarrod Lyle, Matt Jones, Nathan Green, Mathew Goggin, Stuart Appleby, Nick O'Hern, Rod Pampling, Gavin Coles and Steve Elkington round out the Australian tilt.
