JORDAN SPIETH & COMMIT TO VALERO OPEN OTHER TOP PLAYERS STRENGTHEN THE FIELD

For Immediate Release

San Antonio, TX—March 20, 2014—Tournament officials announced today the commitment of former University of Texas star and member Ernie Els, who will compete at the , scheduled for March 24-30 at the AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. Spieth is currently ranked 13th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Els is ranked 33rd.

Spieth, who will be making his third consecutive start at the Valero Texas Open, began the 2013 season without status on the PGA TOUR and therefore was dependent on sponsor exemptions to gain entry into tournaments. By year’s end, he had won the , competed in the , accumulated nine top-10 finishes, finished 7th in the FedEx Cup standings and was named the PGA TOUR’s Rookie of the Year.

Els has won 19 PGA TOUR titles, including two U.S. Open championships and two Open Championships. He had an emotional victory in 2012, winning at Royal Lytham & St. Annes ten years after he won his first .

“Jordan is one of the most dynamic and exciting young players on the PGA TOUR and we are thrilled he is returning to San Antonio next week,” said Valero Texas Open, Executive Director Larson Segerdahl. “It is with equal excitement we welcome the news that Ernie will compete in our event. He, without doubt, is one of the best to ever play the game.”

Officials also announced new commitments from several top players including: John Senden, who won in Tampa last week; , who finished runner-up to Senden; three-time PGA TOUR winner , who is making his first VTO start since 2004; Japanese star , who will be making his San Antonio debut; Freddie Jacobson, who has played every VTO since the event moved to TPC San Antonio and has never finished outside the top 18 during that stretch; and from who is currently ranked 54th in the world and has received an exemption to participate.

Spain’s Sergio Garcia has withdrawn from the tournament.

The complete field will be available following the Friday, March 21 commitment deadline at 5PM ET, 4PM CT.

Valero Texas Open Media Contacts: Stephanie Sage Lee Patterson Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Office: 210.345.3839 Mobile: 704.913.1088