Philip Francis: The Scottsdale teen-ager who was ranked as the No. 1 junior in the country for much of 2006 is returning to the 18-and-under ranks this week to defend his title in the ninth annual Thunderbird International at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale. Believe it or not, Francis said he’s playing in the American Junior Golf Association tournament in preparation for three PGA Tour events he will participate in this summer.

“Originally, I wasn’t planning on playing in (the Thunderbird), but if I didn’t play in it, I’d have nothing (to compete in) prior to my first PGA Tour event,’’ said the reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion, who recently received sponsor’s exemptions into the Stanford St. Jude Championship in two weeks, and the John Deere Classic in early July. “The last time I played junior golf was last November, and I had planned to hang it up after that.’’

Technically, this is not Francis’ first foray into professional golf, as he played in the Australian Open at age 14. But it is his first PGA Tour exposure. Too bad that honor could not have happened earlier this year at the FBR Open, as Francis is the most well-decorated junior to come out of Arizona since Billy Mayfair in the early 1980s and had sought an exemption for the sponsoring Thunderbirds.

As for his third PGA Tour appearance this summer, Francis isn’t saying where and when. “I have a verbal agreement to play in the tournament, but they have not announced it yet,’’ said the 18-year-old who is bound for UCLA in the fall. “But I’m excited, very excited, to finally get a chance to play with the best players in the world.’’

Still, Francis said he has no intentions of turning pro – unless the unbelievable occurred. “If I won, it would be very hard to turn down a two-year exemption onto the PGA Tour, wouldn’t it?’’ he asked rhetorically. “But I have every intention of going to UCLA for at least two years, or possibly four years, depending on how things work out.’’

Francis, who was named 2006 AJGA player of the year along with another Scottsdale teen, Esther Choe, said he doesn’t blame Choe for recently turning down a scholarship to the University of Arizona in order to turn pro in August. “I know it was a tough choice for her, but Esther is one of my best friends, and I support her to the max,’’ said Francis, who like Choe lives with his parents at Desert Mountain. “She’ll probably struggle a little the first couple of years, and then be right up there with the best of the LPGA.’’

Other East Valley juniors playing in the Thunderbird International, which takes place Saturday through Monday, include Andrew Yun and Richard Lee of Chandler, Taylore Karle of Scottsdale, and Margarita Ramos of Paradise Valley.

NOTEWORTHY

Honored: Al Birmingham has been named the 2007 Anser Award recipient by the Southwest Section of the PGA. The long-time resident of Scottsdale, who played college golf on the same Wake Forest team as Arnold Palmer, represented Titlelist products in Arizona for 34 years, as well as helped establish the state’s first handicapping system for the Arizona Golf Association. The Anser Award honors individuals or groups whose positive efforts have influenced the history of golf in Arizona, and is named in memory . of Karsten Solheim, the founder of PING and creator of the Anser putter.

Moving on: Advancing in U.S Women’s Open local qualifying held Monday at Mirabel Golf Club in Scottsdale were Scottsdale’s Joanna Whitley (74), Ashley McKenney (77) and Laura London (77). Setting the pace with a 1-under-par 71 was Laura Koras of Parker, Colo. Following sectional qualifying, the national championship will be held June 28-July 1 at Pine Needles Golf Club in North Carolina.

And finally: The East Valley will be well-represented at this week’s Senior PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, S.C. Competing in the season’s first major on the Champions Tour will be Scottsdale’s R.W. Eaks, Danny Edwards, John Jacobs, Larry Mackin, Mike McCullough, Tom Purtzer and Howard Twitty.