Friday, July 29, 2011

A Good News-Bad News Story

by Roz Roberts III

For Michael Thompson, the Greenbrier Classic provided a "Good News-Bad News" storyline.  The bad news is that Michael missed the cut by three strokes after shooting a one over par 71 in the second round.  The good news is that he gets a well deserved weekend off.  After making five consecutive cuts over five straight weeks, Michael hasn't had a day off in over a month. 

The break will be a short one, however, as Michael heads off to Reno, Nevada next week to play in the Reno-Tahoe Open.  The PGA Tour will be hosting split tournaments next week as the top 80 players will be playing in the Bridgestone Invitational, part of the World Golf Championship series, and the majority of tour players will be playing in Reno.

This week's Greenbrier Classic proved to be a tough challenge after several course modifications during the off-season.  Scores averaged a full three shots higher than last year.  In addition to Michael, some big name players also missed the cut.  Among the casualties were Phil Mickelson, last year's winner Stuart Appleby, and Davis Love III.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

First Round 73 Leaves Thompson With Some Work To Do

by Roz Roberts III

The course modifications at the TPC White Course have had their desired effect at the Greenbrier Classic.  The first round scores are nearly 3 shots higher than last year.  Michael Thompson shot a three over par 73 which leaves him in a tie for 118th.  He will need a good second round to move inside the cut line which will be set at the lowest 70 scores and ties.  Based on the scores in round 1, the cut line should be somewhere around 2 over par.  Despite the higher first round score, Michael's driving continues to impress as he hit 10 out of 14 fairways and averaged 314 yards off the tee.

Round Two Tee Time
Michael tees off with Garth Mulroy and Chris Baryla from the tenth tee at 8:40m ET.  Baryla will be looking to make his first cut of the year.  He sits are 3 under par (tied for 11th) after the first round.

Television Coverage
The second round of the Greenbrier Classic will be on the Golf Channel from 3pm - 6pm ET.


Expected Weather

Mostly Sunny
High
93°F

Precip
10%

Wind: From WNW at 10 mph
Humidity: 54%


Online Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Greenbriar Classic Tees Off Thursday

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson and the PGA Tour are in scenic West Virginia this week at the Greenbrier Classic.  Last year, the Greenbrier Classic was highlighted by a final round 59 by Stuart Appleby.  Appleby's 59 was the first recorded on a par 70 course and was good enough give him a one shot victory with a total score 22 shots under par.  Since then, the Old White TPC course has undergone a remodel in the hopes of keeping the scores a little closer to par.  The greens have been converted to Bentgrass so they won't be so receptive, the fairways have been narrowed, and the course has been lengthened by 200 yards.  Even with all of the changes, scores are still expected to be low this week.  Most estimates indicate that the winner will probably need to have a score somewhere near 16 under par.

Thompson's Tee Time
Michael tees off with Garth Mulroy and Chris Baryla from the first tee at 1:40pm ET.

Television Coverage
The first round of the Greenbrier Classic will be on the Golf Channel from 3pm - 6pm ET.

Expected Weather

Partly Cloudy
High
92°F

Precip
10%

Wind: From W at 6 mph
Humidity: 53%


Online Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Sunday, July 24, 2011

What's In a Swing?

by Roz Roberts III

I once asked Michael Thomspon's swing coach, Susie Meyers, what she was looking at when she's analyzing Michael's swing.  After all, the entire swing is happening in under a second or two.

She said she's just absorbing the whole swing with her eyes and she knows what's right and she knows what's wrong.  She used to use high speed video as part of her teaching, but the video just confirmed what she already knew - it became superfluous.

I don't know what she'd say of the following swing, but whatever it is, she could have told you right after the actual swing happened without seeing the video.  With the aid of super slow motion, the rest of us can see at least some of what she does.


Thompson Finishes in Tie for 34th


by Roz Roberts III

The weekend at the RBC Canadian Open didn't quite go as planned for Michael Thompson.  After finishing the second round in a tie for first, Michael had rounds of 74 and 76 to drop into a tie for 34th.  Despite the drop down the leaderboard, the week was largely a positive for Michael.  He gained some valuable experience, he made his fifth cut in a row, and he moved up to 106th on both the PGA Fedexcup points list and the PGA Tour money list.  For the record, he is now ahead of Tiger Woods on both lists.

The RBC Canadian Open proved to be quite a challenge as only eight players were under par and the winning score was only -4 (accomplished by the eventual winner Sean O'Hair and Kris Blanks).

Michael Thompson and the rest of the PGA Tour head east to the Greenbrier Classic which is being held in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

Shaughnessy Bites Back

Michael Thompson celebrates after a birdie on hole #14
by Roz Roberts III

Typically when you post the best score of the final group on Saturday, you are in great shape to win on Sunday.  However, the RBC Canadian Open has been anything but typical.  Michael Thompson had a rough day at the Shaghnessy Country Club on Saturday posting a four over par 74 but he wasn't alone.  Chad Campbell and Paul Goydos didn't fair any better as they were four over and five over respectively.  All three in the final group fell down the leader board on Saturday but they are still within striking distance of the lead with a good final round.

Michael's third round started slowly with a bogey at the first hole and by the end of the tenth he was four over par.  It wasn't until the fourteenth hole that Michael got a birdie putt to drop.  He made a tricky 20 foot put on hole #14 to grab some much needed momentum.  He appeared to give it back on the very next tee at hole #15 when someone began banging on a stake during his backswing.  The tee shot went 50 yards wide right of the fairway into the trees and spectators.  He made a nice punch out under and through two pine trees but the shot went through the fairway and managed to find the rough on the left side of the fairway.  A nice shot out of the rough left him 19 feet from the hole and he managed to make the birdie putt for a most unlikely 4.



The back to back birdies left Michael in a tie for fifth near the top of the leaderboard at -2.  He played holes 16 and 17 at even par but hole #18 came up and bit him with a double bogey after his tee shot found the rough and he missed a short side slop bogey putt.

Despite the rough finish on hole #18, Michael is tied for 12th and within reach of the top of the leaderboard if he can go low on Sunday.  The tournament has featured fewer and fewer players under par after each round.  Currently there are only 11 players in red numbers. 

Round Four Information

Michael will be teeing off with Matt Bettencourt and Woody Austin from the first tee at 9:00am PT.

Television coverage will start be on from 12:00pm to 3:00pm PT on CBS.




Onine Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on  Shot Tracker

Thompson on Playing Shaughnessy

Friday, July 22, 2011

Canadian Open Round 3 Final Group Features Thompson

by Roz Roberts III

There are rewards for leading a PGA Tour event on the weekend.  One of them is that you get to play in the featured group of the round.  For Michael Thompson, round 3 of the RBC Canadian Open will be the first time he'll get to experience weekend golf in the featured group.  He will be playing with co-leader Chad Campbell and PGA Tour veteran Paul Goydos who is one shot back.  The threesome will tee off at 9:55am PT from the first hole at the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course.

Rumors have it that the rough will be a tad shorter for the third round which could mean that scores get better.  Many players have complained that the rough has been too punitive and perhaps the course superintendent is bending to some pressure.  In any event, hitting fairways and greens will continue to be the secret to success at Shaughnessy.

Television coverage will be carried on CBS from 12pm - 3pm PT (3pm - 6pm ET) for the final two rounds.


Expected Weather for Round Three
Temp: 74 high/56 low
Partly cloudy/Overcast. Winds around 5 mph.

Onine Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Week of "Firsts" for Michael Thompson

by Roz Roberts III

It's a week of firsts for Michael Thompson on the PGA Tour.  It's the first time he's made 5 cuts in a row.  It's also the first time he's been on the top of the leaderboard at the end of any round.  Along with those firsts are sure to be ton of media attention and added pressure going into the weekend.  Michael has been wanting to experience the pressure of a lead on the PGA Tour since the beginning of the season.  Now he'll have his chance.

We'll be posting articles of interest from round two in this post so there's a single place to look for links.  Check back over the next 24 hours to see what we've found. 

Round Two Articles:

Click on image to be taken to the original article:

Great article including a photo.



Nice article on Michael and his current tie for first













Post round interview transcript

Michael is in the featured group, one of the players to watch, and on the "Fedexcup Bubble"


Nice article featuring lots of Michael Thompson


Article on the rough at the Canadian Open.  Michael is quoted.



Talking Rough and Five Straight Cuts

Late Surge Has Thompson in Tie for Lead

by Roz Roberts III

If you've been at work or under a rock for the last 6 hours or so, you might have missed Michael Thompson catch fire on the back 9 at the RBC Canadian Open.  He was one under for his front nine and started his back nine with 5 straight pars.  Par at the Shaughnessy Heights Golf Course is a great score.  Par is great but Michael decided to put his round into the phenomenal category as he went low over his last four holes - really low.  He birdied holes 15, 16, and 18 to grab a share of the current lead at -4.

We'll have more over the next few hours but here's the first report we've found on Michael round from the TOUR Report on PGATour.com

Tour Report

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Thompson Fights to a Draw with Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club

Michael Thompson hacks out of the rough on hole #6.  Follow link to original post on Yahoo Sports.
by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson did something that only 35 players were able to do today at the RBC Canadian Open: finish the first round at par or better.

Michael shot a first round even par 70 at the difficult Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club. The course has narrow, tree lined fairways, thick, lush rough, and very small greens. The result is a course that punishes missed fairways and has lead to high scores. The leader, Kris Banks, is only 3 under par and only 21 players managed to break par in the first round.

Michael's round featured three birdies which were balanced against one bogey and one double bogey.  He managed to hit 9 out of 14 fairways and hit 12 out of 18 greens in regulation.

He tees off from the first hole in round 2 with playing partners Tom Pernice Jr. and Michael Letzig at 12:10pm PT.

Weather for Round 2
Partly cloudy
Temp: 69 high/53 low
Overcast. Winds around 5 mph.


Onine Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

RBC Canadian Open Gets Under Way Thursday

  
by Roz Roberts III

The PGA Tour heads west this week into the cooler climes of Vancouver, British Columbia.  The RBC Canadian Open will be held at the Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.  The 100 hundred year old course will be a difficult test as the greens are small and the rough is especially thick.  Most players agree that hitting fairways will be the key success, especially on the par 4 holes.  If you miss the fairway on a par 4, the rough will most likely mean that the green will be out of reach with a second shot.  Michael Thompson tees off in the first group of the day from the tenth hole at 7am PT.  He is paired with Tom Pernice Jr. and Michael Letzig.


Weather Forecast for Round 1
Temp: 68 high/57 low
Partly Cloudy/Overcast. Winds around 6 mph.

Onine Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker

Monday, July 18, 2011

Vote Thompson for Shot of the Week!

by Roz Roberts III
PGATour.com has a weekly vote for the "Top Shot of the Week".  This week Michael Thompson's near ace on hole #15 at the Viking Classic is one of the choices.  Seeing as I am not an impartial observer, I encourage everyone to go vote for Michael (choice #4) over at Shot of the Week.  Voting lasts through Tuesday and as of this posting Michael's shot was at 28% (just 2 percentage points behind the current leader).

Use the following link to support one slick shot:  Shot of the Week. Don't forget to select shot #4!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Hot Putter Can't Rescue "Terrible" Day

by Roz Roberts III

In the "pay for play" world of professional golf, there's never a good time to have a bad day.  However, if you're going to have a bad day, it's definitely better to have one on the weekend after you've already made the cut.  Michael Thompson had just such a day today in the third round of the Viking Classic.  Michael had three bogeys and a double bogey en route to a one over par 73. The average score for the day was three shots better. 

After the round, via Twitter, Michael said "What a terrible day. At least my putter was hot. Too bad they were all for par.  Oh and to top it all off, I was chosen to do a drug test today."

The round could have been worse.  On the eighteenth hole, Michael hit his second shot into the water.  It marked the second hole in a row that he had been in a water hazard.  After taking the penalty stroke and hitting his fourth shot to 24 feet from the hole, it looked like another bogey was going on the scorecard.  Michael made the clutch 24 foot putt to save par.   Despite not scoring well, Michael putted better than the previous two rounds.  He only had 26 putts for the entire round and averaged 1.6 putts per green in regulation.    Unfortunately, he only hit 56% of the greens in regulation.

Michael dropped into a tie for 57th for the tournament and is 6 under par after three rounds.  His fourth round will start early in the day so he should be able to beat some of the heat.  He tees off from the first hole at 7:50am CT with Rod Pampling.

Live Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker

Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker


  

Thompson Tide Rolls On

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson has been on a roll.  On Friday, despite a 2 hour weather delay to start the day and a two hour weather delay that occurred after his first 14 holes, Michael managed to card a 3 under par 69 which leaves him at -7 after the first two rounds at the Viking Classic.  This marks the fourth straight tournament that Michael has made the cut and his fifth straight round in the 60's.  Michael currently sits in a tie for 31st.

The second weather delay slowed Michael's momentum a bit when he made a bogey on his first hole after the delay.  That bogey marked his first of the tournament.

Michael's third round gets underway at 1:00pm CT and he's paired with Chris DiMarco for the third straight round.  The duo will be joined by J.P. Hayes from the first tee .



Television Coverage
The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel  Here's the weekend schedule:

Sat, 7/16          Sun, 7/17
4p - 7p ET       4p - 7p ET


Live Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker

Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Thompson's Cooking With Gas at The Viking Classic


by Randy Roberts

Michael Thompson's game is still on fire.  Ever since he declared on June 10 that he had an "epiphany" regarding his game, a recipe for success shall we say, his play has been red hot.  Playing in the familiar steamy climate of the south with University of Alabama teammates in the field and former college coach Jay Seawell in the gallery, Thompson posted a bogey free round of 68 (-4).  Birdie opportunities abound at the Annandale Golf Club, and Thompson was serving them up.

He also had some near misses and an oh-so-close hole-in-one that decided to hop out of the pot BAM! as can be seen in the video below.



Michael tees off in the second round with Chris DiMarco and Chris Stroud at 8:10 CT from the 10th tee

Television Coverage
The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel.
Here's the schedule:

Fri, 7/15         Sat, 7/16          Sun, 7/17
4p - 7p ET     4p - 7p ET       4p - 7p ET


Live Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Thompson Commits to Tornado Relief Pro-Am Golf Tournament

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson has committed to play along other professional golfers and celebrities with ties to the University of Alabama and Auburn University in an effort to raise money and support for victims of the deadly tornado outbreak that occurred throughout Alabama on April 27.  Alumni groups from both universities have planned a three day event that includes the pro-am golf tournament that will be held on August 15 at the Greystone Golf & Country Club's Founder's Course.

The event was announced earlier today and the following article from AL.COM has all the details:  Alabama, Auburn alumni groups unite to aid tornado victims

Thompson Birdies Hole 15 en Route to a First Round 68

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

'Bama Golf "Taking Over the Tour"

by Roz Roberts III

The PGA Tour is playing in the heart of the Southeast Conference this week as the Viking Classic is being held in Madison, Mississippi.  For Michael Thompson and five other former University of Alabama students (Jason Bohn, Steve Lowery, Dicky Pride, Bud Cauley, Matthew Swan), it's a chance to play just 250 miles from their alma matter.

Michael practiced with former teammate Matthew Swan and recent UA graduate Bud Cauley earlier in the week.  UA golf coach Jay Seawell, will make the three hour drive to Missippi to watch his former players on Thursday.

Via Twitter, coach Seawell said that he's "going to Jackson MS tomorrow to watch my bama boys Matthew Swan, Micahel Thompson, and Bud Cauley at the PGA event Viking Classic.  Bama golf is taking over the tour, I like it!"

The weather, as you would expect this time of year, is expected to be hot and humid.  Fitness will definitely come into play this week.   The par 72, Annandale Golf Course is 7199 yards in length and the course, designed by Jack Nicklaus was ranked 25th out of 52 in difficulty on the PGA Tour last year.

Michael tees off in the first round with Chris DiMarco and Chris Stroud at 1:00pm CT from the first tee.

Television Coverage
The tournament will be televised on the Golf Channel.  Here's the schedule:


Thu, 7/14:
4p - 7p ET
Fri, 7/15:
4p - 7p ET
Sat, 7/16:
4p - 7p ET
Sun, 7/17:
4p - 7p ET

Live Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group On Shot Tracker

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Thompson Rides Momentum Into Tie for 12th

by Roz Roberts III

After finishing the first round in a tie for 94th and sitting at even par, all Michael Thompson did for the remainder of the John Deere Classic was shoot rounds of 66-67-67 (13 under par), move up 82 spots on the leaderboard, and finish in a tie for 12th. All in all, it was a very productive weekend on the PGA Tour!

Michael's improvement over the course of the tournament was not so much the result of making more birdies as much as minimizing bogeys. He had at least five birdies in every round but he limited his bogeys to just one in each of the final two rounds.

The top 15 finish was good enough to move Michael 11 spots up the money list into 108th place. The top 125 players on the money list at the end of the year earn a 2012 PGA Tour card.

Michael also moved up 21 spots on the Fedexcup points list to 106th. The top 125 players on the Fedexcup points list are invited to the first playoff event at the end year - the Barclays on August 25th. The remaining three playoff events, The Deutsche Bank Championship, the BMW Championship, and THE TOUR Championship, are limited to progressively smaller fields based on accumulated Fedexcup points.

While some PGA players are headed "over the pond" to compete in the Open Championship (British Open), Michael and other PGA Tour players are headed to Madison, Mississippi to compete in the Viking Classic.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Thompson Gets Moving on "Moving Day"



by Randy Roberts

On the PGA Tour, Saturday is often referred to as "moving day" and moving is exactly what Michael Thompson did today at the John Deere Classic.  He played a great round of golf, shooting a four under 67.  The solid score propelled him 22 spots up the leaderboard to T-28th.  His round was highlighted by 5 birdies along with several nice par saves.  It ended up being one of the top scores of the morning rounds.  In two rounds he's progressed from 94th to 28th!

Round Four
Michael tees off from the first tee at 10:38 am CT with Steve Marino.

Scoring Links
Here are the round four scoring links:

Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson and Steve Marino Group Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker

Friday, July 8, 2011

Seven Birdies Help Thompson Make Cut for Third Week In a Row

by Roz Roberts III

After finishing round 1 with a double bogey, Michael Thompson knew he was going to need a good second round if he was going to make the cut at the John Deere Classic in Silvas, Illinois.  Michael started the day in a tie for 94th and the cut line is set to the top 70 golfers plus ties.

The round got off to a slow start as Michael made pars on his first four holes.  It took one more par to actually kick Michael's round into gear.  On hole #14, Michael ended up in a sand trap and had a 13'4" putt to save par.  Michael made that critical putt and momentum was on his side.  He birdied the next three holes before he bogeyed hole #18. Michael ended his first 9 holes at 2 under par and two shots outside the cut line.

Michael played the next six holes at one under par and was sitting just one shot off the cut with three holes to play. Michael found himself looking at a 17 foot putt for birdie on the par 3, seventh hole. Michael made the putt and was inside the cut line for the first time all day. He went on to birdie the next hole to finish two shots inside the cut line and in a tie for 50th. On the day Michael shot five under par and had 7 birdies with two bogeys.

This makes the third straight week that Michael has made the cut in a PGA Tour event, which is a first for him.

Round Three
Michael tees off from the first tee at 8:10am CT with Scott Piercy.

Scoring Links
Here are the round three scoring links:

Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker




Thursday, July 7, 2011

John Deere Classic Underway


I got caught in the headlights last night and forgot to post the links for the The John Deere Classic which began today at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.  Michael shot an even par in round 1 and is currently tied for 94th.

Michael tees off in round 2 at 1:55 CT with DJ Brigman and Billy Horschel.





Here are some links for following the action.

Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker

Sunday, July 3, 2011

AT&T National a Great Event for Fathers and Sons

by Roz Roberts III

If you've been out to a PGA Tour event lately, you'll have noticed that the PGA Tour has been making a concerted effort to reach out to younger fans.  At most tournaments they host a youth clinic in which young golf fans can get up close to a PGA Tour player or two.  But where the PGA Tour has been really successful in reaching young fans is with their players being approachable and available to fans for autographs and photos.

Over at marplenewtown.patch.com they published a post on the AT&T National tournament and how it was such a great event for father's and sons.  If you follow our blog or know anything Michael Thompson, you won't be surprised to find that he is mentioned specifically in the article.  Here's a brief snippet from the post by Joseph Santoliquito:

Perhaps no one received a bigger thrill than the number of kids that filled the galleries. Seated in the 18th-hole gallery absorbing every shot were a pair of precocious onlookers, 13-year-old David and 10-year-old Michael Asch, the sons of KYW radio anchorman Jeff Asch.

David’s personal favorite was Rickie Fowler, a stylish young golfer who was decked out in ostentatious orange from head-to-tie on Sunday—including his orange shoes and tee. Fowler, who’s never won a PGA Tour event, suffered through a bad front nine on Sunday that took him out of contention.

“I play golf and learned from watching the pros this closely that golf isn’t an easy game to play and you need patience,” said David, an eighth grader at Wissahickon Middle School. “I don’t have a lot of friends my age that are into golf, but I like the game and I like playing it. This is my first golf tournament and it’s great. I’m having a great time. But I wanted to see Fowler win because he is a young guy and he’s never won before. I was hoping to see him win his first PGA event.”

Michael, David’s younger brother, received a little more from the event—an autographed Ping cap from Michael Thompson’s caddy, who came over on the first tee and handed the cap to young Michael, telling him he may need it if it rained later. It was a forever keepsake for someone watching a major golf event live for the first time.
...
Perhaps a lasting image of the AT&T National didn’t come on the course, but rather in the 18th-hole gallery. It was Michael Asch in his Phillies’ Cliff Lee T-shirt and his new autographed golf cap nestled in his father’s arms resting quietly as the day was winding down.

It was a great day for Watney and agreat day for fathers and sons.

The full article can be found here and is well worth a read:

Nick Watney Wins the AT&T National at Aronimink:  But the PGA Tour event was a great time for fathers and sons

Thompson Finishes "Week Off" in a Tie for 38th

by Roz Roberts III

Michael Thompson was supposed to be vacationing this week.  The life of a PGA Tour rookie, however, rarely proceeds as planned.  After receiving a sponsor's exemption into this week's AT&T National, the week off became a work week and an unexpected trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Michael took advantage of his opportunity and finished the tournament in a tie for 38th.  For the second straight round, Michael shot a 1 over par 71 including a birdie on his final hole on the difficult Aronimink Golf Club course.

The finish moved Michael up the Fedex Cup points list into 127th and solidified his position at 119 on the money list.  There are major benefits to finishing inside the top 125 on both of those lists.  The top 125 players on the Fedex Cup points list get invited to the end of the year playoff series which starts with The Barclays at the end of August.  The top 125 players on the money list at the end of the year get a PGA Tour card for the following year.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Solid Play Leads to Second Straight Working Weekend for Thompson

by Roz Roberts III

After a solid par 70 in the first round of the AT&T National, Michael Thompson was looking to make his second straight cut.  However, round two started off rather slowly as Michael started the day with a double bogey followed by a bogey.  Despite the three over par start, Michael just put his head down and played solid golf.  He was eventually rewarded with back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17 and went on to play his final 9 holes at two under par to finish the round at one under par.  The one under round of 69 was good enough to leave him in a tie for 21st and well inside the cut line for the second straight week.

Michael finished Saturday's third round at one over par.  Michael was sitting at 2 over par going into hole #18 when he landed his second shot within 3 feet of the hole which lead to an easy birdie and gave him some much needed momentum heading into the final round.

After the round, via Twitter, Michael said "That birdie on the last hole is going to bode well for me tomorrow! Excited to dominate tomorrow!"

Michael slipped 19 spots into a tie for 40th.  Overall, the scores were significantly lower on Saturday than they had been on Thursday and Friday.  Some players said that the grounds crew had significantly slowed the greens down by heavily watering them overnight, however, everyone expects the greens to be faster and firmer for the final round.
  
For Sunday's fourth and final round, Michael is paired with amateur Patrick Cantlay and Chris Riley.  They tee off from the tenth hole at 9:40am ET.  Cantlay has gotten lots of press recently after he finished as the low amateur at the US Open and made the cut at both the Traveler's Championship and the AT&T National.

Scoring Links
Leaderboard
Michael Thompson Scorecard
Michael Thompson Shot Tracker
Michael Thompson's Group on Shot Tracker