Jamie Spence is giving the Italian Open a miss this week.

A pulled back muscle during a lesson with his coach made him think twice about the trip to Sardinia. On further reflection, rest and trying to hit a few practice balls at The Nevill, prompted Jamie to take a few days off work.

To the vast ranks of hackers four or five days Mediterranean sunshine would not go amiss. But, to a seasoned pro in his 12th successive season on the PGA European Tour it is toil, albeit attractive when compared to commuting on the rattler every day from Brighton to Victoria or digging ditches for a living.

Now, at 38, Jamie, with career earnings of £2,589,000, has had it made for a long time. But crying-off from the cut and thrust of intense competition didn't come all that easily.

He said: "You have to keep it going on the endless round of tournaments not just in Europe but all over the world. It is a gamble and the lifestyle wouldn't suit everybody, the hassle at airports, hotels, all the travelling and then playing a game of golf with which the club golfer is not familiar."

While tournament prize funds run into millions, and there are at least 25 in a full Eureopean season, those fortunate and able enough to have qualified for a place among the elite, must dig deep into their pockets, win or lose. Jamie has a rough figure of £1,500 set aside for each encounter or a seasonal total of £40,000 paying for flights, hotels, caddy fees and incidental expenses. If the putts don't drop and the swing goes awry then the laptop must mark down another missed cut.

Then there are the good days like last April when Jamie gained only his second tourney victory, the Moroccan Open, that carried a first prize of £66,640. Success bridged an eight-year gap after he became the European Masters champion in a year when his total earnings peaked at £393,000.

None of this slow rise up the ladder came easily. From the day he turned pro at 22 and shortly after winning the Sussex Open, Jamie battled against the personal demons and the luck of the game to make the grade. He needed five visits to qualifying school to eastablish himself. That first breakthrough in Switzerland nine years ago saw him rocket from 10 shots back and cleave through the field with a final round of 60.

Heads turned and that year Jamie was a member of England's winning team in the Dunhill Cup and a year later Sally presented him with Samuel who was followed two years later by Charles.

The Spences are an incredibly happy family. I say, incredibly, because Jamie doesn't see his wife and children at their home near Tunbridge Wells all that often.

If it is the first week in March it must be the Dubai Desert Classic, etc. The Tour doesn't even touch base in the UK until the second week in May and then it is back to Gatwick hoping the tools of the trade will show up at the destination.

That is why the enforced break from routine this week was not such a blow to Spence. There is no suggestion that he is losing his appetite for the game. On the contrary, he will depart from his normal practice later this month of avoiding the Far East. Previous Asian events earlier in the year when humidity is high hasn't suited Jamie.

In the New Year he is off to Australia and South Africa looking forward especially to Royal Melbourne. The last time he was there in 1993 he fell in love with the course.

He said: "This season I have not performed as I should have. I've had a few chances and finishing eighth in the Great North Open at Slaley Hall was my highest placing.

"My short game has been pretty good. Can't complain. From 100 yards in I can compete with anybody. Lately I've noticed how much bigger the players are getting, particularly newcomers, all at six foot one and well over compared to me at five foot eight. They generate more power off the tee. But I can live with that and have increased my length with the driver. One trouble has been my iron play, it has been terrible this year."