Hansen Sunday Notebook: 'Rock bottom' to the top

Besides being a golfer, Michael Thompson was an Eagle Scout and played soccer at Rincon/University High School. "We lost in the state playoffs and it was brutal. It still stings," said Thompson, 27, whose mom, Beth, teaches high school English at Sabino.

Hansen Sunday Notebook: 'Rock bottom' to the top

Before Michael Thompson won the Honda Classic last weekend, earning $1.08 million, he planned to spend this weekend in Tampa, visiting his wife's brother.

Greg Hansen: Tucson's Thompson, coach stay grounded after first PGA Tour win

"I'm not a flashy player," says Michael Thompson, 27, but the University High grad and his longtime instructor Susie Meyers hit the big time Sunday.

Greg Hansen: Tucson's Thompson, coach stay grounded after first PGA Tour win

Before he got to the PGA Tour, Michael Thompson won the Raising Cane Classic, the Moe O'Brien Invitational, the Timacuan Showdown and the Michelob Ultra Hooters Tour championship.

Honda Classic: Tucson native Michael Thompson wins first PGA Tour event

"This is everything," says Tucson native Michael Thompson, celebrating his birdie putt on No. 18 to close with a 69 to win the Honda Classic by two strokes - his first PGA Tour title.

Honda Classic: Tucson native Michael Thompson wins first PGA Tour event

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Honda Classic: Tucson native Michael Thompson wins first PGA Tour event

Michael Thompson, who graduated from Tucson's University High, and caddie Matt Bednarski show their glee after the golfer pulled off a textbook sand shot to set up a birdie putt on No. 18.

Honda Classic: Tucson native Michael Thompson wins first PGA Tour event

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Tucson native Michael Thompson's dream of winning his first PGA Tour event was walking up the final fairway with a big lead and very little stress.

PGA Tour: Honda Classic: Tucson golfer tied for first place

Former Rincon/University standout Michael Thompson hits onto the 17th green from a sand trap in windy conditions. "We have the wind of a British Open," he said.

PGA Tour: Honda Classic: Tucson golfer tied for first place

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PGA Tour: Honda Classic: Tucson golfer tied for first place

Luke Guthrie, left, and Michael Thompson finish their day tied for first place at the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

PGA Tour: Honda Classic: Tucson golfer tied for first place

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Paired in the final group, Tucson native Michael Thompson and Luke Guthrie went head-to-head against each other and PGA National's wind-whipped Champion Course in Saturday's third round of the Honda Classic.

Golf: Frustrated McIlroy walks off at Hole 18

Michael Thompson lines up a putt on the 18th hole. The ex-Rincon/University golfer shot a 65.

Golf: Frustrated McIlroy walks off at Hole 18

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Whether his pain was mental or dental, Rory McIlroy walked off the course in the middle of his round Friday at the Honda Classic and invited even more scrutiny of golf's No. 1 player.

Greg Hansen: Tour card, drive take Michael Thompson far

As he was standing in a buffet line Saturday, choosing between fettuccine and meatballs, Michael Thompson said the one thing all working men would like to be able to say on a hot August night.

US Open: Overlooked Simpson takes title

Tucson native Michael Thompson, who tied for second Sunday at the U.S. Open with Graeme McDowell, went home with $695,916.

US Open: Overlooked Simpson takes title

Overlooked for so much of the week, Webb Simpson emerged on a fog-filled Sunday at The Olympic Club with four birdies around the turn and a tough chip out of a hole to the right of the 18th green that he converted into par for a 2-under 68.

Els in hunt for Open title after last winning in '97

John Peterson lights up after hitting his first hole-in-one Saturday. Peterson's ace came on the 13th hole, a 180-yard, par-3, in the third round of the U.S. Open.

Els in hunt for Open title after last winning in '97

SAN FRANCISCO - Ernie Els hasn't won a major championship in 10 years.

First six at Olympic puts many in a hole

Beau Hossler, 17, was one of many to struggle on the first six holes at The Olympic Club on Friday. He had three bogeys and a double bogey in the first six to drop out of the lead.