PREVIEW: Buick Championship - Thursday, June 29, 2006

CROMWELL, Conn. -- Following a week off after six consecutive weeks on tour, Notah Begay III is refreshed and ready for this week's Buick Championship, held at the Tournament Players Club at River Highlands.

During his six-week stretch, Notah made 4-of-6 cuts and recorded a Top 25 finish at The Rex Hospital Open (tied for 22nd place) where he recorded the tournament's low score of 64 in the final round.

The 4-time PGA Tour winner looks to get back to playing on the weekends after his 8-consective cuts made streak came to a close two weeks ago at the Knoxville Open by just two strokes. Notah shot a 1st-round 74 and rebounded with his 15th round under par for the season with a 2-under 70.

"Heading into the event in Knoxville I was starting to feel a bit tired," Notah said. "Some of the signs I look for are inability to concentrate which leads to careless errors and also a general lack of intensity. Many players overlook the need to stay focused for 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours a day for four days in a row. That type of focus can drain you of energy especially since it's been over six years since I played a stretch that long."

Earlier this week, in an article from the Hartford Courant newspaper, Notah said, "You just can't get good when you play one or two weeks and then have to take a couple of weeks off. But you just have to keep working at it."

Regarding Notah's back injury, all appears stable and strong.

"The recent stretch of six tournaments is the most consecutive weeks I've played since my rookie year in 1999," Notah said. "The best thing about it is the fact that my back has stayed strong and allowed me to practice and play with high intensity. I know that I haven't really put myself in position to win but my good rounds are starting to come through and I anticipate a solid finish to the year."

During his week off, Notah, who won the 2000 Canon Greater Hartford Open (now the Buick Championship) with a record 20-under-par 260 total, continued to take care of his back with deep tissue sports massage and some minor chiropractic adjustments.

"These treatments allow my body to recover and regain strength for the coming events," Notah said. "I tend not to play much golf and try hard to catch up with family and friends during my time off."

Playing the first two rounds of this week's Buick Championship with Notah are former President's Cup teammate Paul Azinger and Australian Nathan Green, who's best PGA Tour finish was this past January when he finished in a tie for 2nd place at the Buick Invitational.

The trio will tee-off at 1 pm (ET) on Thursday and at 8 am (ET) for Friday's 2nd Round.

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 Buick Championship (4-1 vs. the cut)
2005 - Buick Championship - cut (75, 70) - 145 (+5)
2003 - Greater Hartford Open - T33 (73, 66, 69, 69) = 277 (-3) $22,600.00
2002 - Canon Greater Hartford Open - T33 (67, 72, 69, 69) = 277 (-3) $21,133.34
2000 - Canon Greater Hartford Open - 1 (64, 65, 67, 64) = 260 (-20) $504,000.00
1999 - Canon Greater Hartford Open - T14 (69, 68, 69, 64) = 270 (-10) $45,000.00

Course
TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.

Notah's Group (Rounds 1 & 2)
Paul Azinger (Holyoke, Mass.)
Nathan Green (Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia)

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

TV Times (ET)
Thu 4-6 pm USA
Fri 4-6 pm USA
Sat 3-6 pm CBS
Sun 3-6 pm CBS