(Duluth, GA, February 14, 2006) — Chris DiMarco, who earned a career-best $3.5 million in 2004 and is the 8th ranked player in the world, will play in this year’s BellSouth Classic at TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, GA. Now in its 38th year, the 72-hole PGA TOUR tournament offers a first prize check of $954,000 from a total purse of $5.3 million. The event will be played March 27th-April 2nd. Here are some quick facts on DiMarco:
â?¢ DiMarco began 2006 in grand fashion, firing a final-round 5-under-par 67 in late January to overtake third-round leader Henrik Stenson and win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in the United Arab Emirates by a stroke. It was his first win in four years and his first victory on the European Tour. In his only PGA TOUR start he finished tied for 15th at the FBR Open.
â?¢ Last year was a terrific season for DiMarco, as he crossed the $2 million mark in annual money for the sixth consecutive year and the $3 million level for the first time. His total of $3,562,548 ranked 7th overall. In 24 events he made 17 cuts and recorded six top 10s including solo seconds at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and the WGC-NEC Invitational; a T3 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans; a solo 4th at the Wachovia Championship and a 5th place tie at the 84 LUMBER Classic.
â?¢ DiMarco has captured three PGA TOUR titles: the 2000 SEI Pennsylvania Classic, the 2001 Buick Challenge at Callaway Gardens and the 2002 Phoenix Open. In 302 career events, he has now banked more than $17.1 million.
â?¢ His best BellSouth Classic performances include a tie for sixth in 2001 and a tie for ninth in 2003. In 10 Classic appearances he has banked $351,951. His best single round score in the event has been a 67 during the second round in 2001 and the first round of 2003.
â?¢ The Florida Gator’s best statistics of 2005 included a ranking of 10th in putting average, 12th in third round scoring average (69.53), .
â?¢ DiMarco played on Gator teams with fellow PGA TOUR players Dudley Hart and Pat Bates. He earned All-American and All-SEC honors and was named SEC player of the year in 1990.
â?¢ He was a star of the President’s Cup last fall, recording a 4-0-1 mark and clinching the matches with a 1-up win over Stuart Appleby in his Sunday singles pairing. He also played in the Presidents Cup in 2003 and the Ryder Cup in 2004.
Contact:
John Marshall
Media Director
(770) 436-2643
Brent Fowler
BellSouth Corporation
(404) 249-2839
