Taking it easy is not an option - Wednesday, August 16, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Even though Notah Begay III is taking this week off from the professional golf circuit, he knows that taking it easy is not an option.

"Well let's be very honest about my situation right now," Notah said on Monday. "My back is against the wall in terms of my standing on both the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour money lists."

The three-time Stanford All-American currently ranks 205th and 135th on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour money lists, respectively. In order to earn exempt status on the 2007 PGA Tour, Notah will need to climb into the top 125 of the PGA Tour or the top 20 on the Nationwide.

"I'm fairly low on both lists so about the only thing that will secure my exempt status for next year is a win," Notah said. "Keeping that in mind, my preparation for the Reno-Tahoe Open will be very diligent with an emphasis on addressing some of the weak spots in my game. I want to show up at the RTO ready to play well."

The Reno-Tahoe Open, which Notah won in 1999, opens play next week with Thursday's first round at the Montreux Golf & Country Club in Reno, Nev.

This week, while Notah preps for the RTO, the season's final major event will take place in Medinah, Ill., where the Medinah Country Club plays host to the PGA Championship.

"I will watch the PGA Championship hoping that Tiger can continue his streak of great play," Notah admitted. "I always look to the major championships as my favorite events. They seem to be the hardest courses with the best fields and that embodies the spirit of competition."

Notah is 1-1 vs. the cut at two previous PGA Championships, including a tie for 8th at the 2000 event.

NOTAH'S 2006 SEASON BREAKDOWN TO DATE¦

2006 Money List Rankings
PGA Tour - 205th ($110,334) - Top 125 earn 2007 PGA Tour exemption
Nationwide Tour - 135th ($19,889) - Top 20 earn 2007 PGA Tour exemption

2006 Season Highlights
Best Finish: T9 (Buick Championship)
Most Money Earned: $101,828.57 (Buick Championship)
Lowest Round: 64 (Rex Hospital Open)
Bogey-free Rounds: 2 (66 - Athens Classic, 66 - Buick Championship)
Under Par all 4 rounds: 1 (B.C. Open - 69, 71, 71, 70)

2006 Versus the Cut
PGA Tour - 2-6 (.250)
Nationwide Tour - 7-3 (.700)

For a list of all PGA Tour exemptions, just go to: http://www.pgatour.com/players/pgatour-exempt.