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

'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

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.

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