International contingent continues to grow for Amex C'Ship
IN: News | US PGA | American Express Championship (2003) | General | 29 Aug 2003
Ernie Els of South Africa heads a strong international contingent of golfers who have already committed to compete in the upcoming World Golf Championships-American Express Championship.
The US$6 million tournament will be played Sept. 30-Oct. 5 at the Capital City Club's Crabapple Course in Woodstock, Ga.
Els currently ranks No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking after starting off 2003 by winning the first two events on the PGA TOUR schedule. Joining him from South Africa are Goosen, No. 12 on the Official World Golf Ranking, Tim Clark and Hennie Otto.
Ireland's Padraig Harrington has committed along with Masters Champion Canadian Mike Weir.
"We are excited about the caliber of the international players that are qualifying for this event," said Todd Rhinehart, the tournament's executive director. "We aren't exaggerating when we say that the best players in the world will come to the World Golf Championships-American Express Championship to square off."
A mixture of talented young players and experienced PGA TOUR veterans has qualified from Australia. Among those are Stephen Leaney, Peter Lonard and Craig Parry, who won the 2002 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational.
Other international players who have committed include Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson, England's Justin Rose and Paul Casey. Korea's K.J. Choi, India's Jyoti Randihawa and Arjun Atwat and Thailand's Thongchi Jaidee are all signed up to play, as well.
"There is a reason these events carry the name World Golf Championships," Rhinehart said. "Players competing in the American Express Championship can expect to face the best the world has to offer."
Were the American Express Championship held this week, 70 players from 21 nations would qualify for the event. The commitment deadline is Friday, Sept. 26.
Source - WGC
