PREVIEW: Cialis Western Open - Tuesday, July 04, 2006

LEMONT, Ill. -- Thanks to his Top 10 finish at last week's Buick Championship, Notah Begay III gained entry into the Cialis Western Open, which begins play this Thursday at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club.

Located just outside of Hartford, Conn., the TPC at River Highlands played host to the Buick Championship, where Notah, who finished in a tie for 9th place last week, has one victory (2000 Greater Hartford Open) and is now 5-1 versus the cut.

"Hartford has always been a special place for me and for some reason I seem to play well there," Notah said on Monday. "My ascent toward victory in 1999 began with a T14 finish at the Hartford event not to mention my win in 2000. As long as they have the event I'll keep playing."

After the '99 Hartford event, Notah won his first PGA Tour victory three events later at the inaugural Reno-Tahoe Open. He then won three more times for a total of four victories within the span of 12 months, a feat which has only been matched by Tiger Woods, who will also play in this week's Cialis Western Open.

According to the Official World Golf Ranking, the top three players in the world will compete in this year's Western - Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh, respectively.

Notah, who has shot four out of his last five rounds under par, is looking to keep the good scores rolling at the second oldest U.S. event on the PGA Tour schedule.

"When you begin to play well, it's great if you can sustain the momentum," Notah said. "Having the chance to play the week after such a strong performance is simply a bonus. I can go out, get into a good frame of mind and hopefully put some good scores together."

Joining Notah at 8 am (ET) on the 10th tee to start Thursday's 1st round will be 2-time PGA Tour winner Dudley Hart and Colombian rookie Camilo Villegas (pronounced b-JAY-gahs).

After earning his 2006 PGA Tour card on the Nationwide Tour last season, Villegas' popularity back in his home country has caused Colombian TV to pick up 30 PGA Tour golf broadcasts for this year.

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 Cialis Western Open (1-3 vs. the cut)
2004 - Cialis Western Open - cut (71, 74) = 145 (+3)
2003 - 100th Western Open - cut (74, 74) = 148 (+4)
2002 - Advil Western Open - T81 (68, 74, 74, 75) = 291 (+3) $7,080.00
1999 - Motorola Western Open - cut (75, 72) = 147 (+3)

Course
No. 4 Dubsdread Course at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Lemont, Ill.

Notah's Group (Rounds 1 & 2)
Dudley Hart (Rochester, N.Y.)
Camilo Villegas (Medellin, Colombia)

Notah's Tee Times (ET)
Th - 8 am (10th tee)
Fr - 1:15 pm (1st tee)

TV Times (ET)
Thu 4-6 pm USA
Fri 4-6 pm USA
Sat 2-6 pm ABC
Sun 12:30-1:30 pm, 4-6 pm ABC