Tiger heads top class field at the Buick Classic
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2003 Buick Classic | Preview | 17 Jun 2003
After the drama of the US Open in Chicago last week, the USPGA Tour returns to regular tournament play this week at the Buick Classic.
The Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York is yet another of the very fine traditional American golf courses. Built in 1922 and designed by Walter Travis, the course has been the home of the Buick Classic, albeit under several different names, since 1967 when won by Jack Nicklaus. I say traditional as it has that true country club feel about it, with its grand clubhouse and accommodation, its tall mature vegetation and smell of American wealth.
As was the case last week in Chicago, the course is not overly long at 6722 yards, but is considered one of the better and more respected courses on tour because of its demands on all aspects of the game. The lack of actual length is balanced by the considerable elevation changes making the course play longer than the yardage suggests. There is a demand on keeping the ball in play, tall vegetation creating the need for strategic placement from the tee, four inch rough and small and contoured, Bent / Poa annua greens.
Recent winners have not exactly been household names with Chris Smith defending his 2002 win this year, Sergio Garcia, the exception in 2001, Dennis Paulson in 2000, Duffy Waldorf in 1999 and J.P. Hayes in 1998. Prior to that however, two of the games current stars, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els held court, both winning twice in the mid-90’s.
Tiger Woods plays here for one of the few times since turning pro. He was 16th here in 2001 and 43rd in his first time here as a professional in 1997. The scheduling of the event after the US Open rather than the week prior, as often been the case, creates the opportunity for Tiger to play an event sponsored by one of his leading sponsors Buick.
Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk, David Toms, Retief Goosen and Sergio Garcia will also lead a cast of high quality players in the field this week.
Australasia is very well represented with Steve Alker, Michael Campbell, Greg Chalmers, Gavin Coles, Steve Elkington, Mathew Goggin, Scott Laycock, Peter Lonard, Greg Norman, Geoff Ogilvy, Anthony Painter, Rod Pampling, Craig Perks, John Senden all entered and Paul Gow now just one spot away from getting a start as this is posted.
The event carries a purse of $US5 million with $US900,000 going to the winner.
