Nissan Open attracts strong field in leadup to Accenture
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2003 Nissan Open | Preview | 17 Feb 2003
The Nissan Open being played just a week before the first World Golf Championship of the year, the Accenture World Match Play, has attracted a strong field headlined by the entrance of Tiger Woods.
Woods did not play here last year but prior to that he had finished twice in second place and has never finished outside the top twenty in five appearances at The Riviera Country Club. His brilliant return to competitive golf last week at Torrey Pines will see him as the raging favourite to win the event for the first time.
The Riviera Country Club was constructed in 1926 and was designed by George C. Thomas, along with the designer of the two courses at last week’s event at Torrey Pines, William Bell. In 2001 significant remodelling was carried out under the design of Tom Fazio.
Defending his win in 2002 will be Len Mattiace, whose win here last year was his first on Tour and provided the catalyst for another win later in the year in Memphis. Other recent winners have been Australia’s Robert Allenby, who survived a six-way playoff in 2001, Kirk Triplett in 2000, Ernie Els in 1999, and Nick Faldo in 1997.
Besides Woods, other leading players to tee up this week include Vijay Singh, Davis Love, David Toms, Sergio Garcia, David Duval and Jim Furyk. Phil Mickelson, who has not played a lot here in recent years, is not in the field. Neither is previous winner Ernie Els, although given his recent schedule, that is understandable.
A great line up of leading Australasians, two of whom have won on this course with Allenby winning this event in 2001 and Steve Elkington, who won the 1995 PGA Championship here.
Other Australasians entered are Michael Campbell, who starts his extended US campaign here, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Peter Lonard, Geoff Ogilvy, Craig Parry, Craig Perks and Phil Tataurangi.
Reflecting the strength of the field is the fact that both James McLean (2nd at the tour school) and Steve Alker (4th last year’s Buy.Com Tour and a contender last week in San Diego) are alternates.
The event is worth $US4.5 million with the winner to receive $US810,000.
