LEMONT, Ill. (Wednesday, June 28) – Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 1 golfer, has officially committed to play in the 2006 Cialis Western Open, July 3-9, at Cog Hill Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois. Woods, the 1997, 1999 and 2003 Western Open champion, notified the PGA TOUR today that he is entering the tournament’s 156-player field.
"We couldn’t be happier to have Tiger Woods competing once again in our championship," said John Kaczkowski, Western Golf Association tournament director. "We’re grateful for Tiger’s long-standing relationship with the Western Golf Association and look forward to having him play in this year’s Cialis Western Open."
"With five of the top six players in the World Ranking in our field, we anticipate another very competitive championship," added Kaczkowski.
Woods first played in the Western Open as an amateur in 1994. He played again as an amateur in 1995, and won the championship in 1997 in his first appearance as a professional. Thousands of appreciative Chicago golf fans followed Woods on his triumphant walk to the 18th green on championship Sunday. Since 1997, Woods has played in the Western Open every year except 2002, when he was forced to withdraw due to illness. His win in 2003 made him the event’s first three-time winner since Tom Watson won his third title in 1984.
Woods, 30, has had an unprecedented career since becoming a professional golfer in the late summer of 1996. He has won 66 tournaments, 48 of those on the PGA TOUR, including the 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005 Masters Tournaments, 1999 and 2000 PGA Championships, 2000 and 2002 U.S. Open Championships, and 2000 and 2005 British Open Championships. With his second Masters victory in 2001, Tiger became the first ever to hold all four professional major championships at the same time. He is the career victories leader among active players on the PGA TOUR, and is the career money list leader.
Contact:
Gary Holaway
WGA Communications
1-847-724-4600, ext. 221
holaway@wgaesf.com
