STEVE THOMAS

Birthdate: May 31, 1956

Birthplace: Newton, Miss.

Age: 50 Ht: 6'2" Wt: 235

Home: Oxford, Miss.

College: Southern Mississippi

Turned Professional: 1978

Player Notes: Thomas qualified for his first U.S. Senior Open in the first year that he was eligible…Qualified for the one available spot out of a 47-player field in Philadelphia, Miss…Has never played in any other USGA championships…Martin Rodriguez, his caddie for the past year, will be on the bag…Won 45 mini-tour titles…Won the 1982 Georgia Open, two-time winner of the Missouri Open and two-time winner of the Chicago Open…Most memorable golf experience was the 1982 Georgia Open, where he had 13 birdies, including eight in a row…Lowest competitive 18-hole round is 59, shot three times…Has 22 holes-in-one, 11 of which were in competitive rounds. He had five aces last year…Has played in South America and South Africa…Holds the record for lowest nine-hole score at the 1995 Ecuadorian Open, where he carded a 27, with four eagles…Holds the 1988 PGA Tour record for driving distance…Longest drive was 427 yards…Holds 63 course records…Played golf competitively for 30 years…Started playing when he was 6 years old.