You would think with a T2 at the Greenbrier Classic, Australia’s Steven Bowditch could relax and put his feet up. After all, he just pocketed $415,800 for his performance — his best effort in his seven-year career on Tour.

Despite the strong effort from the big-hitting Australian, life on Tour has been a constant struggle. Prior to the Greenbrier Classic he had won just $116,444 in 2013 placing him 183rd on the money list. And he’d made just seven cuts from 16 appearances and had yet to record a top-25 finish.

To put his Tour struggles in perspective, his 91 careers starts on Tour had collected him just $984,049 in total prize money.

But fighting for his card is nothing foreign for Bowditch. He’s only once finished inside the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list. That was in 2011, and guaranteed him full playing rights the following year. But he only made five cuts in 18 events in 2012, earning a total of $206,768. That sent him back to Q-School, where he finished T10 to earn full playing privileges for 2013.

Bowditch’s talent has never been questioned, especially by those that know his game in Australia. It has been his lack of mental stamina to play out 72 holes of tournament golf that has let him down.

His struggles on the golf course have been minor compared to his problems off it. He has had a life-long battle with severe depression and has even contemplated suicide. He struggled mightily in 2006 — his first full year on Tour — with a combined 20 missed cuts, withdraws and disqualifications. When he did play a tournament through, the then-22-years-old Bowditch finished in 76th, 78th and T46.

It was during that time that Bowditch attempted to drown himself in his pool. The Tour granted him a medical exemption in 2007, but Bowditch struggled, missing the cut four times and withdrawing in his other event.

He did not appear in another Tour event until 2011, and now appears to have gained a new outlook on life. He is trying to help others with the same problem by being a spokesman for Beyond Blue, an Australian non-profit organization promoting awareness of depression and mental disorders.

Despite missing his last four cuts on Tour, his effort at the Greenbrier Classic was superb. Opening with a 5-under 65, he followed it up with a 67, 69 and a final-round 68. His 11-under total was just two shots adrift of winner Jonas Blixt, a two-time winner on Tour. He finished the tournament an impressive T6 in greens in regulation and 13th in strokes gained putting.

His prize money of $415,800 has moved him from 183rd to 115th on the money list, and for the first time this season inside the much sought after top 125. With the shortened season in 2013, every bit of prize money earned counts.

For Bowditch fans, let’s hope his Greenbrier performance is a giant step toward gaining full exemption next year.