Thelen hopes experience will lead to another crown
Mike Small and Barry Evans are other past champions who have a chance to wear the crown once more. But to show the depth of the field this week, a total of 11 past champions teed it up this week at Reynolds Plantation, and eight of them failed to make it to the weekend -- including last year's champion, Chip Sullivan.
For Thelen, this is his 11th appearance at the Championship. In 10 previous appearances, he has seven top-10s, including his two wins. He is one of only three players to win this tournament multiple times.
His first title came in 2000 in a playoff at Oak Tree Golf Club in Edmond, Okla. He followed that up with a second-place finish in 2001 and a fifth-place finish in 2002. Then, just for good measure, he took home his second title at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., in 2003.
He's coming off a fourth-place finish last year, so if anyone knows how to finish this tournament strong, it's Thelen.
"I think having won before, it gives me an advantage somewhat. There are guys that must be playing well, I mean they are at 7 or 8 under at least. They must be hitting the ball and putting the ball relatively well, to say the least," he said. "I am going to have to put up a real low number tomorrow or otherwise I won't be getting No. 3."
Not only has Thelen been triumphant at this event, he has also thrived at Reynolds Plantaiton. Last fall, he was part of the U.S. PGA Cup team that defeated Great Britain and Ireland in the Ryder Cup-style team event on Oconee Course here (the Championship is being played over the Great Waters and Reynolds Landing course, which are also a part of Reynolds Plantation).
"This is an absolute beautiful place," said Thelen. "You have water everywhere. It is just absolutely gorgeous."
Thelen, who birdied two of the first three holes Saturday and has a career scoring average of 71.95 at this event, went out and shot a 70, which puts him at 4 under par, four strokes off the lead heading into the final round on Sunday.
"I started out well today. I birdied Nos. 2 and 3 today, so if I can go out and do that again tomorrow and get it to 6 under and maybe birdie three of the first seven it is out there. The course is in absolutely perfect position. The greens are rolling great and if you hit a bad shot you get penalized," Thelen said.
Small, a member of the U.S. PGA Cup team as well, has played in this tournament since 2004. Like Thelen, he has shown an ability to finish well. In his four previous attempts at this tournament, his worst finish is fourth.
He has finished second twice and won in 2005 at the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island in Kiawah Island, S.C. His career scoring average at this tournament is 70.75. He fired a 74 Saturday to put him at 4 over par for the event.
Evans, the PGA Head Professional at Berry Hills Country Club in Charleston, W.Va., won this tournament in 2002 in Louisville, Ky., at Valhalla Golf Club. This is the eighth time he has participated in the Championship. He has 73.75 scoring average in his career, and shot a 73 Saturday to get to 3 over par for the week.
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