NB3 only 6 back a B.C. Open - Saturday, July 22, 2006

VERNON, N.Y. -- After a pair of early bogeys during Friday's second round at the B.C. Open, Notah Begay III reversed his fortunes and finished the round with three birdies over the final seven holes, earning his second PGA Tour cut of the month.

"Making the cut this week is a tremendous accomplishment considering that I had a bit of a mental hangover from my tough finish at the John Deere Classic," Notah said Friday evening. "So standing on the 10th tee at 2-over for the day wasn't exactly the position I envisioned at the start of the day. But putting together a bogey-free, 3-birdie back nine to finish the day gives my confidence a boost."

Notah, currently in a tie for 39th place, will start the third round at 7:26 am (ET) with Craig Parry and Marco Dawson at the Atunyote Golf Club. Only six strokes back of the leaders, Notah was picked to win the B.C. Open by two PGATour.com writers earlier this week.

According to the 4-time PGA Tour winner, "I don't really pay much attention to the predications of the golf writers because they might have based their pick on my scoring average at En Joie (Golf Club) and we're not even playing that course. But I would love to prove them right!"

He only needed 22 putts in Thursday's first round, where Notah carded a 3-under par 69. The 2nd-round 71 was Notah's third round under par in his past four PGA Tour rounds.

"The course played very fast and firm on Thursday but after some heavy rain Friday played a bit softer and slower," Notah said. "I'm surprised that scoring wasn't a bit lower but it just puts me that much closer to the lead. I'm ready to make a charge this weekend."

Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in his quest for win No. 5 on the PGA Tour.

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