Last year, at the 3M Championship, Tom Purtzer found himself in a situation stickier than Scotch tape.

With two holes to go, the eventual wire-to-wire winner suddenly had some close competition. Lonnie Nielsen made a 71-foot birdie putt on No. 17 and eagled No. 18 with a 53-foot putt to move within one stroke of Purtzer. Craig Stadler barely missed an eagle bid that would have forced a playoff.

Purtzer was forced to make a 7-foot par putt on No. 18. The putt rolled in, giving him his third Champions Tour victory.

“It came down to the last hole,” Purtzer said. “It got down pretty close -- a lot closer than I wanted.”

He is excited about returning to Blaine, Minn. and defending his title at TPC Twin Cities. “It is always a pretty neat feeling. All of the memories of good shots come back,” said Purtzer. “I’ve played here pretty well for the last three years. I enjoy coming to Minnesota. This is a great town…(with) a lot of good memories.”

Another Champions Tour member is also relishing the chance to compete in Minnesota, after his highly successful amateur career in the state. John Harris won 14 amateur titles in his home state, including four state amateur ones and back-to-back state open championships.

Harris said he looks at this event as a major and is looking forward to family and friends coming out to watch. He won his first Champions Tour tournament two months ago at the Commerce Bank Championship and hopes to get a second this week.

With only 10 events remaining, the season-long race to win the Charles Schwab Cup points competition is in the home stretch. Loren Roberts took the lead from Jay Haas after his win at last week’s Senior British Open.

In addition to the top players, two special guests will be at the tournament. Scott Kellett, the father of a 17-year-old who passed away in January, will be an honorary observer on Friday. He and his son attended the event for the past few years and were struck by the generosity and kindness of the Champions Tour members.

Nicole Anderson, the 2005 Champions Tour Volunteer of the Year, is again serving as a volunteer in the event. The 25-year-old has helped at the event since the age of 12 and returns after having an ankle amputation in 2005.