PREVIEW: Valero Texas Open - Tuesday, September 19, 2006
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- He's very accurate off the tee, proving that his back is healthy. His approach shots are dialed-in. It's the short strokes that seem to be providing the last hurdle for Notah Begay III as he attempts to earn his first PGA Tour win since 2000.
"My putting seems to be the last part of the puzzle," Notah said on Monday, as he prepared for this week's Valero Texas Open. "I played very consistently from tee to green (last week) but didn't convert on my close birdie opportunities. In order to compete at the highest level, a few of those close iron shots need to be converted. I plan to work diligently on my putting this week in order to improve my score."
Notah narrowly missed the cut at last week's 84 Lumber Classic. It was the sixth time this season that the Albuquerque native missed a PGA Tour cut by two or less strokes. A few putts here or there and Notah would flip his current 2-8 record against the cut to 8-2 for the 2006 PGA Tour season.
Notah's Close Cuts on the 2006 PGA Tour
1 stroke off the cut line:
84 Lumber Classic
Cialis Western Open
Verizon Heritage
2 strokes off the cut line:
Reno-Tahoe Open
FedEx St. Jude Classic
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
This week's event, held on the Resort Course at the La Cantera Golf Club in San Antonio, has provided a comfortable setting for Notah, who is 4-0 vs. the cut in past Texas Opens.
"I've lived in San Antonio four out of the last eight years and I love the city and it's people," Notah said. "It has similar characteristics to Albuquerque and I seem to have a strong following at the event. I also like the golf course and get a good feeling on it."
Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in his quest for win No. 5 on the PGA Tour.
THIS WEEK'S BREAKDOWN
Notah's History at the Valero Texas Open (4-0 vs. the cut)
2005 - Valero Texas Open - T63 (68, 71, 71, 72) = 282 (+2) $7,315.00
2003 - Valero Texas Open - T44 (71, 63, 72, 67) = 273 (-7) $10,115.00
2002 - Valero Texas Open - T22 (69, 69, 64, 68) = 270 (-10) $36,400.00
1999 - Westin Texas Open - T68 (68, 72, 75, 72) = 287 (-1) $4,040.00
Course
The Resort Course at La Cantera Golf Club
, San Antonio, Texas
Notah's Group
(Rounds 1 & 2)
Doug Barron
(Memphis, Tenn.)
Mike Sposa
(Teaneck, N.J.)
Notah's Tee Times
(ET)
Th - 1:10 pm (1st tee)
Fr - 8:30 am (10th tee)
TV Times
(ET)
Thu 4-6 pm (ESPN)
Fri 4-6 pm (ESPN)
Sat 4-6 pm (ESPN)
Sun 3-6 pm (ESPN)
