Experience is a key for two-time champion Thelen

Having won this event in both 2000 and 2003, Tim Thelen knows what to expect in the final round Sunday. Even if he isn't playing his best, the Texan says, he believes that knowing what to expect will serve him well at crunch time.

By T.J. Auclair, PGA.com Interactive Producer

SUNRIVER, Ore. -- Experience is invaluable. That's the mindset Tim Thelen will be taking into the final round of the 40th PGA Professional National Championship at the Sunriver Resort on Sunday.

Thelen, a two-time winner of the premier event for PGA Professionals, negotiated the wind and the cold at the Crosswater Course on Saturday to produce a 1-under-par 71 for a three-round total of 3-under-par 212. He's just two shots behind the leader, Ryan Benzel, who is playing in his first PGA Professional National Championship.

"It might give me a little bit of an emotional edge, but Mike Small (2005 champ, who is also 3 under) is up there again and he's won it before," said Thelen, alluding to his previous wins in 2000 and 2003. "The guys are obviously playing well this week and I'm sure they're hitting the ball a lot better than me.

"I'm rolling my putts really well. Later in the day the greens just seemed to slow down a little bit and I can't get the pace on it. We'll just see what happens tomorrow."

The fact that he hasn't been playing nearly his best is a testament to the strength of Thelen's game. The 46-year-old PGA Director of Instruction at Traditions Golf Club at Texas A&M University has never missed the cut in 10 trips to this event and, furthermore, has never finished outside of the top-27.

Along with his two victories, Thelen has four other top 10s, including a tie for second in 2001 -- which, coincidentally, was the last time the event was played here at Sunriver.

"I haven't played great this week," he said. "Whatever I have on the range in the morning is what I've been bringing to the golf course and I've been able to get it around this beast."

Thelen had two bogeys on the front nine at Nos. 2 and 8, but was able to amend them with birdies on Nos. 6 and 9 to make the turn in even par. After a bogey at No. 10, Thelen bounced back with birdies on 15 and 17 to post his 71.

"The putting has been keeping me in it," he said. "I'm in a good spot right now, I'll just have to see what the leaders do coming in. I?m looking forward to tomorrow -- I've won it twice, I've been here before, so I know what to expect."