Three Former Tigers Make The Cut At Innisbrook - AuburnTigers.com

Three Former Tigers Make The Cut At Innisbrook Roland Thatcher led the way, tying for fifth.

Roland Thatcher

March 22, 2011

AUBURN - Former Auburn All-American Roland Thatcher led a trio of Tigers making the cut at the Transitions Championship held March 17-20 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Tampa.

Thatcher recorded his second top-10 finish of the 2011 PGA season, tying for fifth at 10-under par. The class of 2000 Auburn grad recorded three consecutive rounds in the 60s to open the event before jumping five spots on the final day with a fourth round 70.

"It was a real good finish for me," said Thatcher. "It was my best finish this year. It puts me in real good position to start off the year. It's the best position to start a season in my career. I'm excited to see what the year holds for me."

Thatcher opened the year with a seventh-place tie January 13-16 at the Sony Open in Hawaii.

"I played so poorly for the majority of last year and saved the season with a second-place finish in November," said Thatcher. "I worked hard all off season to keep that momentum. I'm in very good shape physically and have had some really decent chances this year. I just need to continue focusing on minimizing mistakes."

Class of 2000 Auburn All-American Jason Dufner tied for 28th at five-under followed by former Tiger Will Claxton tied for 67th at two-over. For Claxton, it was his first PGA Tour event. The Swainsboro, Ga., native gained entrance to the event after tying for second in a one-hole qualifier against a field of roughly 150 golfers.

Thatcher and Dufner were selected to compete in the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational held Thursday through Sunday at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando.

"It's one of the more highly respected events on tour," said Thatcher. "The players that won there in the past are quality ball strikers. I think it's a course that sets up well for Jason (Dufner) and I who strike the ball very cleanly.

"It's the first time at the Bay Hill for me. It's an invitational that is based on performance. My previous five years on tour, I had never been off to a fast enough start to get the invite. I'm excited to see what the week has in store."

Dufner is set to tee off the front nine at 6:40 a.m. CST with D.J. Trahan and Ben Curtis. Thatcher goes off the front nine at 8:01 a.m. CST with Chris Demarco and Alex Cejka.

Live scoring can be found at www.PGATour.com. Television coverage begins Thursday at 2 p.m. CST on The Golf Channel.