Shaun

Micheel

Micheel was the third alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry when Scott Verplank withdrew today. Saddled with Past Champion status, Micheel has been limited to six starts this year. He’s cashed in five but hasn’t posted a top 30. He’s 6-for-11 at the HPBNC with a pair of top 25s (2006, 2007).

Micheel has not had a top-10 finish on the PGA TOUR since his fourth place showing at the 2010 John Deere, but has given himself a chance to do so should he post a solid final-round score on Sunday. In the third round, he hit an impressive 16 GIR and rolled a steady 1.688 total putting average. Playing on Past Champion status makes every opportunity to garner a top 10 a precious one.

The former PGA Champion circled five birdies to three bogeys in his final round and finishes the week at 6-over-par 290. The putter was a little bit of a struggle this week, as he needed 29.3 putts per round on the small greens of Harbour Town. He will now travel to San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open.

Micheel is 4-for-4 at this event with a T21 in the inaugural edition of 2008. After a birdie-double bogey-bogey start today, he played his final 15 holes in bogey-free 5-under. Overall, he hit 13 greens and took 27 putts. This is just his second start of 2012 due to Past Champion status. He missed the cut at the Mayakoba two weeks ago.

Micheel received the sponsor exemption Scott McCarron forfeited upon withdrawal this morning. Micheel has been loyal to the SHO, competing 13 times, including in the last seven editions. His career-best finish was a solo fifth in 2010. He’s 2-for-3 in limited action due to Past Champion status this season, and hasn’t posted a top 30.

Micheel was the second alternate when the field was released on Friday afternoon. He gained entry when two golfers were removed this morning. He has a pair of top fives in seven appearances at TPC Deere Run (2000, 2010), but he hasn’t posted a top 30 among six paydays in eight starts this season.

The Memphis resident also lists TPC Southwind among his bevy of home courses, so expect him to know the lay of the land as well as anyone. It’s little surprise that he’s played in every edition of this event since 2000. In 19 total starts, his best finish is a T4 in 2010.

Micheel missed the cut at last week’s Texas Open, but he was playing well in April, with a fifth place finish at the Shell Houston Open being the highlight.

James Driscoll was the first alternate, but he withdrew his name early on Monday. Micheel has played consistant golf this season, which has him in 115th place on the FedExCup Points List despite the limit number of starts he has had this season.

Micheel was the recipient of one of the two sponsor exemptions that became available due to early withdrawals that allowed Scott McCarron and Jordan Spieth to gain entry on merit. Micheel missed the cut in his only previous start this season (St. Jude). He’s also 0-for-5 on the Web.com Tour where he withdrew from his last start in early June due to an unspecified injury.