Rich Beem, the 2002 US PGA champion, will make his MasterCard Masters debut later this year at Huntingdale. The popular American has confirmed he will travel to Melbourne for the 25th staging of the Masters from December 4-7.

Beem joins another former US PGA champion, Steve Elkington, in the 2003 MasterCard Masters field. The 33-year-old Beem will be making his second visit to Australia in just over a year. He played in the 2002 Australian Open and impressed local golf fans by finishing in a tie for second at Victoria Golf Club in Melbourne one shot shy of winner Stephen Allan.

That result capped off a stellar 2002 season that included the US PGA triumph, another Tour victory as well, and a seventh-place finish on the US money list with over US$2.9 million in earnings. Beem caught fire in August last year by winning in consecutive starts. He clinched The International in Colorado and then two weeks later held off world No. 1 Tiger Woods to win the US PGA at Hazeltine in Minnesota. Of course, it was the latter victory in particular that catapulted Beem into the spotlight worldwide. He finished spectacularly on the final day at Hazeltine with a 66 eagling the 11th hole and holing a 35-foot birdie putt on the 16th to rattle Woods and win by one.

IMG's Director of Golf Jonathan Field was delighted with Beem's decision to play. "The MasterCard Masters holds a special place in the eyes of the Australian public and having a player of the calibre and personality of Rich Beem is a great addition to the event field".

Beem's best result in 2003 thus far came in July when he finished second behind Woods at the Western Open. He also tied for 15th in his first outing at the US Masters. Beem has had much to celebrate off the course in recent times with his wife, Sara, giving birth to a son in July.

The Texas-based Beem quit the game back in 1995 after initially struggling as a pro. However, after seeing some close friends win professionally, he returned to the game and made his debut on the US Tour in 1999. He took just 12 starts to claim his first Tour victory at the Kemper Open.

Tournament Notes
The MasterCard Masters was first played in 1979 and occupies a leading place on the Australasian Tour. Greg Norman has won the title on six occasions while Craig Parry is the next most prolific winner with three victories. Prominent winners from overseas have included Bernhard Langer, Mark O'Meara and Colin Montgomerie.

Source - IMG

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