Notah playing this week's event - Tuesday, May 08, 2007
| MARBELLA, Spain -- After pulling out of last week's Italia Open with pain in his leg, Notah Begay III has bounced back and feels like he's ready play in this week's Open de Andalucia. "The Open de Italia was the first event I've ever withdrawn from after having started play," Notah said on Tuesday. "I guess the entire injury and recovery process has been a series of firsts in many regards. I did everything I could to try and play the second round but the pain in my right leg was too severe. "Sciatica pain is very difficult to explain unless you've actually dealt with it but let's just say the less you move the less it hurts. Walking off the course on Thursday not knowing the severity of the issue left me in a state of uncertainty. I talked to some specialists back home trying to get a better understanding of my options and a possible assessment but with many questions still unanswered. "I was left with only two choices, return back the U.S. to try and get some more tests or stay in Europe and make the best of it. After spending most of the day Saturday in the European Tour physiotherapy truck getting treatments, I woke up Sunday morning with slightly better range of motion and less pain. "I then proceeded to play in Emanuele Canonica's Pro-Am, just outside of Milan, managing to shoot an even-par 72 and winning a new Audemars Piguet automatic watch. But the best thing about the day wasn't the watch but the fact that the pain in my right leg had decreased and it looks like I can play in this week's Open de Andalucia. "I didn't feel like retreating back the U.S. was the best thing for me at this point because I've had similar pains in the past and with consistent treatment and exercise they eventually subsided. I anticipate this to be the same sort of issue. All it's going to take is some time and a little bit of 'chutspah'. I certainly have plenty of both and I'm looking forward to playing in one of my favorite parts of the world...'Costa del Sol'." Be sure to check back with Notah.com to follow NB3 in his quest to earn a fifth Tour victory. |
