Champaign, Ill. - Fighting Illini senior Charlie Danielson returns to Champaign this week after an impressive performance at the PGA Tour's Northern Trust Open over the weekend. The Osceola, Wisconsin, native made the cut in his first Tour event, tying former Illini Steve Stricker (-3) through the first two rounds, before finishing 5-over at the Par 71, 7,321-yard course.  

"The experience this entire week was surreal," Danielson said of the week in California. "The amount of support I received was amazing and I was able to get my first taste of what a PGA Tour event is all about."

Danielson had an outstanding first round of play, shooting a 4-under par 67. His 4-under par first round, the lowest score for an amateur at the Northern Trust Open since 1981, was just one shot out of the lead and tied him with Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Trust Open was aired live on the Golf Channel, the same network that will carry the NCAA Championships this spring. Danielson says the coverage and the event, where he did multiple television interviews, has helped prepare him for the rest of Illinois' season to come. 

"With all I was able to learn this week, this event will definitely help me in the spring," Danielson said.  "I will work on some things that I feel separate me from other pros and I realized that I can compete out there, which gives me confidence. Lastly, I was able to get used to handling nerves and pressure which was the biggest asset I picked up this week and is something that I can build off of this spring in the postseason."

While the week was certainly a busy one for Danielson, he made it clear that he was staying calm and collected and trying to have fun out on the course. 

"My favorite part of the week was a combination of playing Riviera for seven straight days, and having so many pros coming up to congratulate me and wish me luck the rest of the spring. Everyone out there was so thoughtful and helped me settle down out on the course. A huge thanks to Illini Nation for following and cheering me on, it was a special week."

Danielson and the rest of the Illini will continue the spring season next Monday at the Louisiana Classics Invitational in Lafayette, Louisiana. UI will look to defend its title as the team cruised to a 22-stroke victory at last year's event. 

Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for the latest on the Illinois men's golf team.