Northern Ireland native qualifies for the most elite foursome in golf
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., – The de-facto home of American golf has produced an All-American roster of U.S. Open champions: Nicklaus, Watson, Kite, Woods. But at Pebble Beach’s fifth U.S. Open, it was Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell who survived everything the famed course could throw at him, winning the U.S. Open and earning the second spot in the most elusive foursome in golf – the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
McDowell became the ninth player to make the grueling U.S. Open his first PGA TOUR victory, firing a final-round 74 to secure a trip to Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda, where the major champions will return Oct. 18-20 to decide the title of “Champion of Champions.”
The first European to win the U.S. Open in 40 years, McDowell finished at even-par 284, one shot better than Frenchman Gregory Havret, two better than two-time U.S. Open Champion Ernie Els and three ahead of the gilded duo of Phil Mickelson – who already qualified for the event by virtue of his Masters victory — and Tiger Woods. Els, Mickelson and Woods are all past PGA Grand Slam of Golf champions.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf will once again air on TNT, where it is broadcast in prime-time to more than 89 million U.S. homes and an international audience of more than 100 countries. Comprised of the four major championship winners, the 36-hole PGA Grand Slam of Golf provides the best players in the world the opportunity to earn a spot in the most elusive and difficult foursome in all of golf.
Joining Mickelson and McDowell in that foursome will be the winners of the British Open, July 15-18 at the Old Course at St. Andrew’s in St. Andrew’s, Scotland and the 92nd PGA Championship, Aug. 12-15 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, WI.
Should a player win more than one major Championship this season, the foursome will be completed through the Major Champions Points List composed of past major Champions who compete in the current year’s majors.
Besides, Els, Mickelson and Woods, past PGA Grand Slam of Golf Champions include: Lucas Glover, Angel Cabrera, Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, Ben Crenshaw, Greg Norman, Nick Price and Ian Woosnam.
Corporate Hospitality information for the 28th PGA Grand Slam of Golf is available at www.PGA.com or www.pgagrandslamofgolf.com. For more information regarding corporate hospitality, please call (561) 624-7631. A limited amount of tickets are available to witness golf’s major Champions compete for the title Champion of Champions. To pre-register for tickets, visit www.PGA.com or www.pgagrandslamofgolf.com or call 800-PGA-GOLF (800-742-4653) or (561) 624-7601.
About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America’s mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
About PGA.com
PGA.com is the official online destination for The PGA of America and is home to the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, The PGA Grand Slam of Golf and The Ryder Cup. Beginning in 2002, Turner Sports and the PGA formed a multi-year alliance with a mission to serve the golfing public, PGA Professionals and the golf industry with products and services to grow the game of golf. The two organizations recently expanded the deal through 2019 to include licensing with Turner’s Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) serving as the PGA’s licensing agent in the youth marketplace. As a leader and innovator in broadband golf coverage, PGA.com continues to gain success for its PGA.com LIVE video presentation of PGA’s premier events. In 2007 PGA.com Pipeline LIVE was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy. In 2009, PGA.com’s television, online and mobile coverage of the PGA Championship was nominated for an Emmy® by the National Television Academy and was awarded a CommArts Interactive award for the PGA Championship LIVE video and the PGA Championship iPhone app.
Contact:
