Michael Thompson to speak at Augusta Golf Breakfast

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Phil Mickelson,center, gives some advice to amateur Michael Thompson ,left, during Tuesday's practice round of the 2008 Masters.
Article Photos

Photos description

Phil Mickelson and Michael Thompson walk past a hillside full of flowers along the sixth fairway during Tuesday's practice round of the 2008 Masters.

PGA Tour golfer and 2013 Masters Tournament invitee Michael Thompson will speak at the Augusta Golf Breakfast, a Masters Week tradition hosted by the Greater Augusta Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

More than 1,000 golf fans turn out for the free, annual breakfast, which begins at 7 a.m. April 9 at Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road.

Thompson, 27, tied for second with Graeme McDowell in the 2012 U.S. Open to qualify for this year’s Masters. His U.S. Open finish gave him a career-high world ranking of 52. He’s currently ranked 105th in the official World Golf Rankings.

The Tucson, Ariz., native played at Tulane University before Hurricane Katrina shut down the school’s golf program. Thompson transferred to the University of Alabama, where he played under former Augusta State University golf coach Jay Seawell.

“He’s an up and comer. I think he’s going to be a stud,” said Greg Wilson, area director of the Greater Augusta FCA. “He’s a star in the making.”

As an amateur, Thompson missed the cut at the 2008 Masters after calling a penalty stroke on himself.

“He’s got a strong Christian testimony,” Wilson said. “We’re excited to have him and hear his story.”

Past golf breakfast speakers include golfers Zach Johnson, Ben Crane, Larry Mize and Stewart Cink and broadcaster Pat Summerall.

Print free tickets for the breakfast at greateraugustafca.org.

Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552

or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.