Under par again in Spain - Monday, November 13, 2006

SAN ROQUE, Spain -- According to Notah Begay III, and many others, patience and consistency are the keys to making it through the grueling six-round Final Stage at the European Tour Qualifying School.

During Monday's third round, Notah displayed the patience and consistency needed to earn a spot on the coming European Tour season.

"I stayed patient and turned what could've been a bad round into a somewhat good round," Notah said. "We're at the halfway point and I've maintained a great position but must continue to stay focused and patient."

After three rounds (midway point) of the Final Stage, Notah is resting comfortably in a tie for 14th place at 4-under for the tournament. He shot a 1-under 71 with four birdies on the Old Course at the San Roque Club. Rains have suspended play at the Old Course until Monday, so the entire field shared use of the New Course for the first two rounds.

"It was the first time the field got the chance to play the Old Course at the San Roque Club, due to the tremendous rainfalls they've had this past week," Notah said. "Although the course was playable, it was still very wet with almost no roll on any shots."

His veteran savvy and heady preparation kept Notah's game in line and his scorecard in good shape.

"The extremely wet greens made chipping a bit more dicey as it seemed to be more productive to keep the ball low and running, as opposed to lofting it into the air," Notah said. "I've been working especially hard on my bump and run shots over the past couple days in preparation for the conditions. It payed off as I got up and down both times I missed greens by keeping the ball on the ground."

Notah, who began his round from the 10th tee, showed off one of his game's strongest assets - driving accuracy - for most of the day.

"My tee-to-green game was solid but fell victim to one errant tee shot in which the ball bounced out-of -bounds on the par-4 13th hole," Notah said. "I ended up making a double bogey which forced me to play some steady golf down the stretch."

Notah carded three birdies and a bogey over his last 14 holes to shoot 1-under par for the day.

The top 30 finishers, plus ties, will all earn playing privileges onto the European Tour. Notah is set to tee off at 9:00 am local time on Tuesday for his fourth round.

Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in his quest to earn membership onto the European Tour.

THIS WEEK'S BREAKDOWN

Notah's History at the European Tour Q-school (0-0 vs. the cut)
This is Notah's first time playing in the European Tour Q-school.

Course
The San Roque Club, San Roque, Spain

Notah's Group (Round 4)
Sven Strüver (Germany, living in Orlando, Fla.)
Marc Cayeux (Salzburg, Austria)

Notah's Tee Time
4th Round...Tue - 9:00 am (local) 3:00 am (ET) - 1st tee, the New Course