Tiger commits to Memorial
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Tiger Woods Show is coming to Ohio.
The golfing phenomenon agreed Friday to play at The Memorial
Tournament, which begins Thursday and continues through June 1
at Muirfield Village Golf Club in the Columbus suburb of Dublin.
Woods has won three times in eight appearances this year, including
the Masters and the Byron Nelson Classic in his last two outings.
He is competing this weekend at the MasterCard Colonial in Fort
Worth, Texas.
The 21-year-old Woods is the PGA Tour's leading money-winner
this year with $1,290,350.
Jim Whisler, director of The Memorial Tournament, said ample
security will be in place for Woods, who draws legions of fans
everywhere he plays.
"We've been keyed up for marquee players for years,"
Whisler said. "We have had (tournament founder and course
designer) Jack (Nicklaus), of course, and Greg Norman and Arnold
(Palmer) when he has played here. So we've been in that mode to
begin with.
"Our volunteer committees have been doing it so long they
know how to gear up for it. We don't have to add anything special."
Whisler said he doesn't expect many problems from the throngs
of spectators expected to follow Woods through 72 holes.
"We know what our fan base is," he said. "According
to the players, we have some of the most polite and knowledgeable
galleries in golf. I don't think you will see an influx of new
golf fans coming to the event who don't know golf etiquette."
Earlier Friday it was announced that John Daly will return
to competition in The Memorial. The 31-year-old winner of the
1995 British Open and the 1991 PGA Championship has not played
competitively since entering alcohol rehabilitation following
a drunken spree at the Players Championship in March.
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