Tiger returns for Buick Invitational
IN: News | US PGA | Buick Invitational (2003) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 10 Feb 2003
I suppose there is not a lot more to say on this week's Buick other than Tiger is back but I will anyway.
The first of three Buick sponsored events on this year's USPGA Tour gets under way this Thursday at the Torrey Pines course in La Jolla, Southern California when the field lines up for the US$4.5 million Buick Invitational.
All eyes will be on the return of Tiger Woods just two months after his knee surgery. He will no doubt be ready to go as, although he will have been busting to get back to tournament golf, you get the feeling with Tiger that he would not be coming back unless he felt he was completely prepared and fit.
The tournament is played over both the North and South Courses at Torrey Pines both courses originally designed by William Bell in the fifties although the South Course was extensively remodelled by Rees Jones in 2001. That course now measures an incredible 7,607 yards and is to be the venue for the 2008 US Open. It is the South Course that will host the event with three of the four rounds to be played there.
The defending champion is Jose Maria Olazabal, who defied logic winning over such a long course last year. He won by a shot over J.L. Lewis and Mark O'Meara, which even further confused the issue. Woods only just made the cut last year finishing his first thirty-six right on the mark but powered home to finish in a tie for fifth.
Other recent winners are Woods in 1999 and Mickelson with consecutive wins in 2000 and 2001. Mickelson also won in 1993, in fact this was the scene of his first win as a professional on tour, and was second in 1996. Woods ran second in 2000 behind Mickelson.
Amongst the leading ranked players entered at this stage are Woods, Mickelson, Singh and Toms.
Australia and New Zealand have strong representation in Stuart Appleby back from Sydney where he finihsed in equal second place at the ANZ Championship, Steve Alker, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Gavin Coles, Steve Elkington, Phil Tataurangi, John Senden, Craig Perks, Rod Pampling, Anthony Painter, Geoff Ogilvy, James McLean and Scott Laycock.
The event is worth $US4,500,000, an increase of $US900,000 over last year.
