LEMONT, Ill. (June 27, 2006) — Phil Mickelson will play in his first tournament since the U.S. Open next week at the 2006 Cialis Western Open, tournament officials announced today.
Mickelson, who is second in the World Golf Ranking behind Tiger Woods, and Vijay Singh, the world’s No. 3 ranked player, both formally committed today to play in the Cialis Western Open, set for July 3-9 at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont. Woods is expected to make his formal commitment later this week.
"We are elated to have Phil and Vijay coming to Cog Hill for this year’s championship," said John Kaczkowski, Cialis Western Open tournament director. "They obviously are two of the premier players in the world. Their presence means this year’s tournament will feature five of the top six players in the World Ranking."
In addition to the top three of Woods, Mickelson and Singh, No. 5 Jim Furyk – Cialis Western Open defending champion – and No. 6 Adam Scott also are in the field.
Mickelson’s appearance, his first in the Western Open since 2003, comes on the heels of a disappointing second-place finish in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot when he double-bogeyed the final hole to lose by one stroke. He and Tiger will be seeking to demonstrate the skills that have lifted them to the pinnacle of championship golf worldwide.
Mickelson won the 2006 Masters and 2005 PGA Championship; Woods, winner of l0 career majors, has played in just one tournament – the U.S. Open – since he took time off after the Masters due to the death of his father, Earl Woods, Singh, who won the Barclays Classic June 11, is looking for his first Western Open victory. He’s played in every Western Open since 1995, with his best finish coming in 1998 when he placed second behind Joe Durant.
Furyk will be seeking to become the first back-to-back champion since Nick Price won the Western Open in 1993 and 1994.
Ticket Prices
Tickets are $20 for practice rounds on Monday, July 3, through Wednesday, July 5, and $37 in advance for tournament rounds on Thursday, July 6, through Sunday, July 9 ($40 at the gate). A weekly ticket book for admission the entire week is $100.
To order daily tournament tickets or practice round tickets, call Ticketmaster at 1-312-559-1212. To order weekly ticket books, or for VIP Ticket Plan information, call the Western Golf Association at 1-847-724-4600.
Television coverage will again be on USA Network from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday and from 2-5 p.m. on Friday, and on ABC Sports Network from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, contact the WGA or visit the tournament Web site at: www.cialiswesternopen.com.
Contact:
Gary Holaway
WGA Communications
1-847-724-4600, ext. 221
holaway@wgaesf.com
