Chad Pfeifer, a 33-year-old teaching professional who lost his left leg in Iraq, is playing in the Humana Challenge pro-am competition.

Pfeifer started playing golf in 2007 while rehabbing at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. His leg was amputated above the knee after his vehicle has hit by a roadside bomb.

"Golf saved my life," Pfeifer said.

He's paired with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bud Norris. They will play alongside PGA Tour players Scott Langley and Brendon de Jonge in the first round.

A contestant on Golf Channel's "Big Break" series, Pfeifer is a three-time Warrior Open winner, the 2011 National Amputee champion and tied for fifth last year in the American Century celebrity event. He played college baseball at Northwest Nazarene in Idaho.

"I'm representing thousands of my brothers and sisters who fought and continue to fight for our country," Pfeifer said.

He teaches at the Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear, Arizona.