LEMONT, IL (Wednesday, June 21) – A quartet of young guns on the PGA TOUR are out to prove themselves in the 103rd Cialis Western Open, set for July 3-9 at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont.
The name of the game this year has been the long ball, and the Cialis Western Open playing field is filled with the TOUR’s power hitters. The big hitters of the rookie class – along with their seasoned counterparts, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and John Daly – are all committed to compete.
Among the TOUR’s top rookies making the July 4th week trip to the Cialis Western Open are Bubba Watson, J.B. Holmes, Camilo Villegas, and Charley Hoffman.
"The young players have been really exciting to follow on the TOUR this year, and we are excited to have them here for our championship," said John Kaczkowski, tournament director for the Cialis Western Open. "Golf fans in Chicago will enjoy watching these players drive the ball.
"With Jim Furyk, who came very close to winning his second U.S. Open recently, returning as our defending champion, and with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh all expected to be here, we’re looking forward to record crowds during July 4th week," said Kaczkowski. "It promises to be a very competitive and entertaining championship."
Although not formally committed yet, Mickelson – who nearly won his third straight major at this year’s U.S. Open – and Woods both are slated to be making their only tournament appearances before the British Open at the Western Open in early July.
With the second-longest driving distance average for an event in TOUR history, achieving an average of 334.0 yards and as one of the three left-handers to join the TOUR this year, Bubba Watson is creating quite a name for himself. Watson tied for third in at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson, and tied for 10th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He ranks first on the PGA TOUR for driving distance with an average of 319.3 yards.
Known among the TOUR’s rookies for his compact swing and long drives, J.B. Holmes is earning respect as a long-hitter who can win. At his first PGA TOUR victory, in the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Holmes averaged 321.8 yards off the tee. Holmes’ average driving distance on the TOUR is 312.30 yards. Holmes also tied for 10th at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Holmes ranks second on TOUR in driving distance with an average of 311.9 yards.
Just short of Holmes’ driving average is co-medalist at the 2002 Western Amateur Championship, Camilo Villegas, with a 306.2-yard average. Villegas had his best 2005 PGA TOUR Career finish at the Cialis Western Open last year with tie for 40th. From Medellin, Columbia, Villegas has had a successful year so far with two second-place ties, at the FBR Open and the Ford Championship at Doral, along with a tie for third at the Players Championship. He ranks fifth in driving distance.
Ranked eighth on the PGA TOUR in driving distance with an average of 304.1 yards, Charley Hoffman is another young gun to watch during the Cialis Western Open. Hoffman has had three top-10 finishes so far this year. Hoffman’s longest drive is 384 yards, tied with David Duval and trailing Bubba Watson’s record 398-yard drive.
"All of these young players will add interest and excitement to our championship," said Kaczkowski. "They’re the next generation of PGA TOUR stars."
For more information about the Cialis Western Open or for tickets, contact the Western Golf Association at 1 Briar Road, Golf, IL 60029, call (847) 724-4600, or visit our Web site at www.cialiswesternopen.com.
Contact:
Gary Holaway
(847) 724-4600
holaway@wgaesf.com
