Thompson wins Senior PNC crown by two shots over Blair and Faulkner

On a windless, hot Sunday afternoon in the Coachella Valley, Robert Thompson discovered that good things come to those who wait. Thompson, a PGA teaching professional at Whispering Pines Golf Club in Trinity, Texas, maintained his trademark steady pace while all around him were losing their bearings and captured the 22nd Senior PGA Professional National Championship. The 53-year-old resident of Huntsville, Texas, rallied from a one-stroke deficit with birdies on both par 5s on the back nine of the Jack Nicklaus Signature South Course at Toscana Country Club, turning in a 1-under-par 71 for a two-stroke victory. Thompson finished with a 72-hole total of 8-under-par 280, earning $20,000 from a purse of $285,000 and became the second player in PGA of America history to win a PGA Assistant Championship (1986) and a Senior PGA Professional National Championship. "It's been a long time since that first title, but I can say the feeling is just as good," said Thompson, enjoying the fruit of his third Championship appearance. "It was great playing here and among a great field." James Blair of Ogden, Utah, and Mark Faulkner of Marion, Ill., who each posted a 70, shared second place at 282. Third-round co-leader Mike Lawrence of Easley, S.C., who shared the lead with Thompson until the 16th hole when he failed to get out of a greenside bunker, struggled to a 75 and shared fourth with Ken Martin of Wellington, Fla., at 283. Slowed by tendinitis in his left elbow and a sore shoulder most of the summer, Thompson said he took one cortisone shot nearly four months ago that gave him a chance to return to practice. "I didn't overwork myself, went on to win the [Southern Texas PGA] Senior Section Championship in July and finished fourth in the Section Championship in September," he said. "I felt that I could come out to California and play well. I like the course, and I feel that I'm a good enough iron player to be able to play this course." Toscana Country Club proved more than a worthy test for the 73 players who played the weekend, yielding a 75.15 scoring average -- more than a stroke higher than Saturday's third round. "It was tough," said Thompson. "There were a lot of tough pins out there today. What got me back in it was a birdie at 10. I hit it to 12 feet and made it. That really turned it around for me." It was a long, frustrating day for Lawrence, who made his fifth Championship appearance. He saw his title chances fade when he his approach shot on the 408-yard par-16th hole plugged into a greenside bunker and he could not get his next shot out of the sand. "We got behind, and I let it bother me," said Lawrence. "I plugged my approach and I thought I had hit a really good shot." Lawrence had shared the third-round lead with playing partner Gene Fieger of Naples, Fla. They were deadlocked for the lead through 11 holes, before Fieger posted a disastrous triple-bogey 6 at the par-3 12th that derailed his round. He finished with a 78 and shared 15th at 286. Blair and Faulkner finished more than a half hour ahead of Thompson, waiting in a golf car to see if there would be any hope of a playoff. "I'm pleased that I finished where I did," said Blair, a PGA Life Member. "It was tough to get the ball close today. There were not many birdie chances out there. Robert is a fine player and tough to beat." Faulkner, making his Championship debut, hit 15 greens to go with four birdies, but had only one costly blemish -- a double bogey at the par-3 12th hole after his tee shot found the water. "It was a big field, and to make the cut was a feat in itself," said Faulkner. "There were a lot of good players here, a good test and I'm pretty pleased with how things turned out overall." Defending Champion Bill Britton of Rumson, N.J., shot a final round 73, and led a group of six players at 284. Britton was happy with his play but admits he still has some work to do before the Senior PGA Championship in May. "I did a lot of good things this week, but made a few mistakes which cost me big time," said Britton. "I am looking forward to being back in the Senior PGA Championship." The Senior PGA Professional National Championship showcased PGA Professionals that are at least 50 years of age, as of the Championship, who have qualified through one of the 41 PGA Sections. The low 35 finishers in the 22nd Senior PGA Professional National Championship qualified for the 2011 Senior PGA Championship, May 25-29, at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky. Jim Woodward of Oklahoma City, Okla., nabbed the final spot in the 2011 Senior PGA Championship, with a par on the third playoff hole. A total of five players were competing for one spot. The top eight finishers, including ties, will receive exemptions into the 2011 Senior PGA Professional National Championship. In addition, the top five finishers are exempt into the Champions Tour National Qualifying Finals at TPC Eagle Trace, provided they submitted an entry form by Oct. 6.