Tiger Woods to play in 100th Western Open
BY iseekgolf.com | US PGA Tour | 2003 100th Western Open | Preview | 26 Jun 2003
Tiger Woods, the world’s No. 1 golfer, will play in the 100th Western Open, presented by Golf Digest, July 3-6 at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois.
Woods, the 1997 and 1999 Western Open champion, notified the PGA TOUR on Monday, June 23, that he is entering the tournament’s 156-player field.
“We’re elated that Tiger Woods will again be competing in the Western Open,” said John Kaczkowski, Western Golf Association tournament director. "Tiger’s presence raises the competitive bar for the entire field and gives Chicago area fans an opportunity to see the greatest talent in the game today.
“With Tiger heading the field of entrants, we expect another very competitive Western Open in our 100th year of professional championship golf,” added Kaczkowski. “As the oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR, we’ve enjoyed a unique tradition, one that was enriched by Tiger’s victories in 1997 and 1999. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to have Tiger back with us during the July 4th weekend in Chicago.”
Woods, 27, has had an unprecedented career since becoming a professional golfer in the late summer of 1996. He has won 50 tournaments, 37 of those on the PGA TOUR, including the 1997, 2001, and 2002 Masters Tournaments, 1999 and 2000 PGA Championships, 2000 and 2002 U.S. Open Championship, and 2000 British Open Championship. 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.
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 1999, made him the event’s first two-time winner since Nick Price earned back-to-back titles in 1993-94.
“Through the years, golf’s greatest legends have earned the title of Western Open champion: Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus,” noted Kaczkowski. “Tiger’s victories have continued our tradition of great champions. We’re happy and proud to welcome him back for this historic event.”
Source – Western Open
