NAPLES, Fla. (September 12, 2006) – PGA TOUR champions Brad Faxon, Jerry Kelly, Mark O’Meara and Rory Sabbatini are the latest players to join host Greg Norman November 8-12 at Tiburon Golf Club for the 18th edition of the Merrill Lynch Shootout.
The final field, expected to be confirmed by the end of September, will consist of 24 professionals grouped into 12 two-person teams. The Merrill Lynch Shootout, widely regarded as the PGA TOUR’s premier post-season event, will once again feature a modified alternate shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. In 2006, the USA Network will televise Friday’s coverage and CBS will broadcast the weekend activities.
"The four additions we have today are yet another enhancement to the impressive field of competitors already assembled," said Tournament Director Taylor Ives. "The experience and enthusiasm these players bring to the tournament will serve to make the event even more exciting."
Faxon is a three-time champion of the Merrill Lynch Shootout and will be making his 12th appearance. O’Meara won the inaugural Merrill Lynch Shootout in 1989 with Curtis Strange and will compete in Naples for a third time. Sabbatini, winner of the Nissan Open earlier this year, will be making his second appearance in the Shootout and first since 2004. Kelly, who won two tournaments in 2002, is also making his second appearance.
The field boasts nine major champions who have 23 combined major titles. In addition to tournament host Norman’s two British Open victories, the Shootout will feature: Annika Sorenstam, the 2006 U.S. Women’s Open champion and winner of ten major championships; Jeff Sluman, the 1988 PGA Championship winner; Nick Price, owner of two Claret Jugs and a Wanamaker Trophy; two-time major winners John Daly and O’Meara; 1992 Masters Champion Fred Couples; and British Open champions Mark Calcavecchia and Justin Leonard.
Also among the early commitments to the Merrill Lynch Shootout are current U.S. Ryder Cup team members Chad Campbell and Scott Verplank. New Champions Tour members Scott Hoch and Fred Funk and defending champions Kenny Perry and John Huston have also indicated they will join in the effort to raise funds and awareness for CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Tickets for the $2.75 million PGA TOUR event are on sale now. Orders can be placed three ways – calling 888-66-SHARK, visiting Alf’s Golf Shop in Naples or going to www.mlshootout.com.
A Weekly Pass, which includes five individual daily tickets for Wednesday-Sunday action, is available for $60. You can purchase a daily grounds ticket in advance for $15 on Wednesday or Thursday and $20 for Friday through Sunday. A limited number of reserved seats on Tiburón’s 18th green are available for $50 per day. Reserved seats are only available by calling 888-66-SHARK. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.
Also, for $100, patrons can enjoy A Taste of WCI. This incredible offer includes one Weekly Grounds Ticket and allows you to play 12 of the finest courses in South Florida for cart fee only. It also makes you eligible for valuable discounts on Greg Norman Collection merchandise, reduced rates at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, world-class instruction at the Rick Smith Golf Academy and frequent player rewards.
Current Alphabetical List of Participating Professionals
Mark Calcavecchia J.B. Holmes Kenny Perry
Chad Campbell John Huston Nick Price
Fred Couples Trevor Immelman Rory Sabbatini
John Daly Jerry Kelly Jeff Sluman
Brad Faxon Justin Leonard Annika Sorenstam
Fred Funk Greg Norman Scott Verplank
Scott Hoch Mark O’Meara
For the latest Merrill Lynch Shootout news and information, please visit the official tournament Website at www.mlshootout.com
About Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch is one of the world’s leading management, capital markets and advisory companies, with offices in 36 countries and territories and total client assets of approximately $1.8 trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a broad range of asset classes and serves as a strategic advisor to corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide. Through Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, the company is one of the world’s largest managers of financial assets. Firmwide, assets under management total $589 billion. For more information on Merrill Lynch, please visit www.ml.com
About Tiburon Golf Club
Tiburon, a 36-hole Greg Norman-design course was carved from 800 acres of prime southwest Florida real estate. The courses reflect Norman’s appreciation for pristine natural settings and his passion for great golf. The Black and The Gold courses contain a combination of stacked sod-wall bunkers and tricky coquina waste bunkers. Certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International, Tiburon reflects a strong commitment to enhancing and protecting the natural resources.
About CureSearch
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation proudly supports the collaborative research efforts of the world’s largest and most prestigious childhood cancer research organization, CureSearch Children’s Oncology Group. At more than 200 member institutions – representing every pediatric cancer program and treating 90 percent of children with cancer in North America – CureSearch is making rapid scientific progress to identify cancer causes and pioneer better treatments and cures. CureSearch is dedicated to reaching the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure. For more information visit www.CureSearch.org or call 800.458.6223.
About The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples is the proud recipient of AAA’s highest honor: The Five-Diamond Award, establishing it as one of the greatest resorts in the country. The resort also scored an impressive ranking as the #1 resort in Florida in Conde Nast Traveler magazine’s annual reader’s poll and #3 in Florida by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. In the November 2004 issue of Golf Digest magazine, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort was ranked as the No. #1 luxury golf resort in Florida and No. #25 in North America, beating out some of the long-standing top golf resorts in the country. The 295-room resort is Florida’s finest luxury golf resort and is renowned for its incredible cuisine, outstanding service and luxurious rooms with panoramic views of the Greg Norman-designed golf course.
Contact:
Emily Pachuta
Merrill Lynch
609-282-8965
emily_pachuta@ml.com
Lee Patterson
Merrill Lynch Shootout
704-553-4790
pattersonprinc@yahoo.com
