Ninety holes ahead or at least they hope
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2002 Invensys Classic at Las Vegas | Preview | 08 Oct 2002
The Invensys Classic is one of only two events on the USPGA Tour played over ninety holes, the other being the Bob Hope event played in January. Like the Bob Hope it is a pro am event with all amateurs involved for the first three days, leading amateurs on day four then pros only on day five.
Played over three course in rotation the first three rounds the tournament focuses in on the host course, the TPC at Summerlin for the weekend. The other two courses in the roster are the TPC at the Canyons and the Southern Highlands course with all three in the Las Vegas area. The host course has played a part in this event since 1992, the Southern Highlands since 2000 and the TPC at the Canyons for the first time last year.
The cut is made after fifty four holes and will likely be around eight under par with the winning score expected to be between twenty five and thirty under
Bob Estes will defend his victory last year where he won with a tournament record equalling 329 or thirty under par. His win last year was by a shot from Tom Lehman and Rory Sabbatini. In 2000 Billy Andrade won and prior to that Jim Furyk completed a double winning in 1998 and 1999.
Pre tournament favourites will likely be David Duval, who showed glimpses of form last week, Bob Estes who is in the middle of a good run of form at present in addition to being the defending champion, three time champion Jim Furyk and Justin Leonard.
Australians Robert Allenby, Craig Parry, who was seventh here last year effectively saving his card, Stuart Appleby, Geoff Ogilvy, Rod Pampling, John Senden (his last event in the US this year), Greg Chalmers and the two who desperately need good finishes Paul Gow and Stephen Allan.
New Zealanders Grant Waite, looking to save his career on the USPGA Tour, Craig Perks, after seeing his house nearly demolished from Hurricane Lili last week, Phil Tataurangi, Frank Nobilo, struggling to keep his card and, if he can get a start, Michael Long will also line up
