ORLANDO, Fla. -- Country boys may survive in songs, but not in Big Break Prince Edward Island. William Thompson (Bracey, Va.) found that sad fact out after being eliminated from the series in the second episode by Brenda McLarnon (Charleston, S.C.) in a three-hole elimination challenge.
Playing par-3 holes, Thompson fell behind early with a double bogey, and followed with two bogeys to post a 4-over total while McLarnon finished at 2-over-par.
“It was a stab in the heart,” Thompson said after being eliminated. “All the preparation and practice that I put in prior to the show, I don’t feel like I gave it a good shot. I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of my life in professional golf will bring.”
Thompson and McLarnon found themselves battling for survival after finishing last in the first two immunity challenges. The 11 player field was divided into men and women competitions, with the person finishing last in each group going to the elimination challenge.
Like the Robert Read (Seekonk, Mass.) in the premiere episode, Thompson, or “Football” as his friends call him, is new to professional golf. After his first professional event in 2007 on the Tarheel Tour, his sponsors withdrew their financial support. With lingering thoughts of quitting, the 22-year-old raised funds to play a few more events, the last of which was a tournament in Virginia where he auditioned for Big Break Prince Edward Island.
The self-described token redneck in the series has the game to play at any level. A baseball player who gave golf a try after noticing Tiger Woods’ knack for winning tournaments and making history, Thompson shaped his game by hitting balls in his granddaddy’s garden and later on small courses where he honed a short game that would be the envy of a TOUR player.
It just wasn’t enough, however, to carry him in Big Break Prince Edward Island.
The 10 remaining contestants will compete for $100,000 that can provide the winner a means to finance their dream of playing on a Tour for an entire year. The competition showcases six females and six males in a competition that test every phase of their games, course management and mental toughness. Each of the 12 contestants competes on equal ground with no consideration of gender when it comes to elimination. Big Break showcases highly skilled golfers pitted against each other in a variety of challenges that test their physical skills and mental toughness, with the ultimate winner awarded his/her “Big Break.”
Past Big Break champions won tournament exemptions to compete on some of the world’s top professional circuits, such as the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Canadian Tour. Former Big Breakers Tommy Gainey and James Nitties, who tied for fourth in his third TOUR start at the FBR Open, will compete on the PGA TOUR in 2009 while four previous female contestants currently play on the LPGA Tour.
Adding insight to Big Break Prince Edward Island as co-hosts are former PGA TOUR professional Charlie Rymer and Golf Digest Senior Editor Stina Sternberg.
Shot at Mill River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island, it marks the first time a Canadian location has hosted Big Break. Located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on Canada’s east coast, Prince Edward Island boasts more than 32 courses that span from one end of the Island to the other. One of Canada’s top golf destinations, Prince Edward Island offers other recreational activities, including kayaking, cycling, touring, or lazing on a sandy beach.
The third episode of Big Break Prince Edward Island will air Monday at 9 p.m. ET.
For more information, please contact Mark Mitchell (407-355-4063/ mmitchell@golfchannel.com ) or GolfChannel.com/bigbreak
