Monday marks the first day of practice rounds at The Masters Tournament and, for Crimson Tide senior Michael Thompson, the first chance to prove himself amongst the world’s greatest golfers.

Thompson, the Tide’s stroke average leader and a native of Tucson, Ariz., qualified himself for golf’s greatest spectacle with a second-place finish at the 2007 U.S. Amateur Championship. The seven-day, four-round tournament is held annually at the Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Ga.

As one of only two collegiate players in this year’s 93-man field, Thompson has earned a chance to be the envy of his peers.

“I’m thrilled,” Thompson said. “It’s an honor to be in this situation, to have an opportunity to play in The Masters, a tournament I grew up watching on TV, playing with the guys I see on TV week-in and week-out. I’m just going to go and have fun. It’s going to be an awesome week.”

Thompson said he plans to be fully donned in Tide gear for the duration of the tournament. His presence in the event will likely bring added recognition for the No. 1 Tide men’s golf team. …