2014 US Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson Joins
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 19, 2014 2014 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson joins field for The Greenbrier Classic Defending champion Jonas Blixt to compete along with past winners at The Greenbrier Classic, Ted Potter, Jr., Scott Stallings and Stuart Appleby White Sulphur Springs, WV – June 19, 2014: Officials of The Greenbrier Classic announced today the commitment of eight-time major championship winner and Golf Professional Emeritus at The Greenbrier Tom Watson to compete in the fifth edition of the award winning PGA TOUR stop at the historic Old White TPC Course. Watson will be joined by all four past Champions at The Greenbrier Classic, Stuart Appleby (2010), Scott Stallings (2011), Ted Potter, Jr. (2012), and reigning champion Jonas Blixt. The Greenbrier Classic will take place from June 30 - July 6, 2014 at The Greenbrier, the classic American resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Watson is the owner of 39 PGA TOUR victories, including eight majors, over his more than 40-year professional career. His majors include two Masters Tournaments, one U.S. Open and a remarkable five British Open Championships. On the Champions Tour Watson has recorded 14 victories, six of which have been majors. The World Golf Hall of Fame member has been a player on four U.S. Ryder Cup Teams and will captain his second team (1993) this September in Scotland. Since 2005, Watson has been the Golf Professional Emeritus at The Greenbrier, which this year marks the 100 th anniversary of The Old White TPC Course. The Old White is now the oldest course currently hosting an official PGA TOUR stop on the TOUR’s 2013-14 schedule. Watson will be making his fourth start at The Greenbrier Classic. His best finish came in 2013 when he finished tied for 38 th place after rounds of 68-69-72- 67. His scoring average at The Classic is 70.60. (more) Tom Watson and past tournament champions Page 2 6/19/14 “The Greenbrier holds a special place in the history of golf and I feel honored to be a part of its growing legacy in the game,” said Watson. “Competing on The Old White TPC Course with some of the best players in the world during The Greenbrier Classic is always one of the highlights of my year. I’m especially looking forward to this year’s tournament as we celebrate the 100 th birthday of The Old White.” Blixt is returning to The Greenbrier Classic to defend his 2013 title. The 30-year-old Swedish native has recorded one top-10 finish during the 2013-14 season, a T2 outing at The Masters Tournament. Blixt has won on the PGA TOUR twice and has career TOUR earnings of $5,505,292. He is currently ranked No. 36 in the world and No. 67 in FedExCup points. Potter, Jr. , 30, recorded his lone PGA TOUR victory at the 2012 Greenbrier Classic. He currently holds tournament records for lowest scoring average at 66.88 and career earnings with $1,309,050. This will be Potter’s third start at The Greenbrier Classic coming off a T6 finish in last year’s tournament. The Florida native has three top-25 finishes so far during the 2013-14 season. His best outing was a T13 finish at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. Stallings , the 2011 Greenbrier Classic champion, will be making his fourth start on The Old White TPC Course. His tournament scoring average is 68.5 and his career earnings at The Classic total $1,146,764 after finishing in a tie for 23 rd place in last year’s event. Stallings, 29, has recorded three PGA TOUR titles since turning professional in 2007. His latest victory came at the 2014 Farmers Insurance Open. Stallings is currently ranked No. 76 in the world and No. 57 in FedExCup points. Appleby , 43, set The Old White TPC Course record with a 59 in the final round en route to his victory in the 2010 inaugural Greenbrier Classic. The Australian native has recorded two top-10 finishes during his 2013-14 PGA TOUR campaign. A T8 finish at The Honda Classic is currently his best outing of the year. Appleby has posted nine career PGA TOUR victories over his 22-year professional career and has career TOUR earnings of $28,037,397. His scoring average over the past four starts at The Greenbrier Classic is 68.5 with career tournament earnings of $1,080,000. (more) Tom Watson and past tournament champions Page 3 6/19/14 “Tom Watson is one of the all-time greats in the game,” said Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier. “We are privileged to have him as our Golf Pro Emeritus at The Greenbrier and also to have him join our past champions for what is shaping up to be another world-class field at the 2014 Greenbrier Classic.” To stay connected with The Greenbrier Classic on social media, follow on Twitter at @GBRClassic (#GreenbrierClassic) and like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thegreenbrierclassic . For more information about The Greenbrier, please visit: www.greenbrier.com . 2014 THE GREENBRIER CLASSIC SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Monday, June 30 Gates Open 8:00 A.M. Fellowship of Christian Athletes 5K Run 9:00 A.M. PGA TOUR Practice Rounds All Day Monday Pro-Am 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, July 1 Gates Open 8:00 A.M. PGA TOUR Practice Rounds All Day Youth Clinic 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, July 2 Gates Open 7:00 A.M. Wednesday Pro-Am Morning Flight 7:00 A.M. Wednesday Pro-Am Afternoon Flight 12:30 P.M. Thursday, July 3 Gates Open 7:00 A.M. FIRST ROUND OF COMPETITION Friday, July 4 Gates Open 7:00 A.M. SECOND ROUND OF COMPETITION Greenbrier Classic Concert Series- Maroon 5 9:30 P.M. Saturday, July 5 Gates Open 8:00 A.M. THIRD ROUND OF COMPETITION Greenbrier Classic Concert Series- 9:30 P.M. Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band Sunday, July 6 Gates Open 8:00 A.M. FINAL ROUND OF COMPETITION Awards Ceremony at the 18 th Green 6:00 P.M. *All times subject to change (more) Tom Watson and past tournament champions Page 4 6/19/14 2014 The Greenbrier Classic Television Schedule Date Network Times Show Description Thursday, July 3 Golf Channel 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. (ET) Live First Round Coverage Golf Channel 6:30 – 9:30 P.M. (ET) First Round Replay Golf Channel 9:30 P.M. – 12:30 A.M. (ET) First Round Replay Friday, July 4 Golf Channel 3:00 – 7:00 P.M. (ET) Live Second Round Coverage Golf Channel 6:30 – 9:30 P.M. (ET) Second Round Replay Golf Channel 9:30 P.M. – 12:30 A.M. (ET) Second Round Replay Saturday, July 5 Golf Channel 1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Live Bonus Coverage CBS 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. Live Third Round Coverage Golf Channel 6:30 – 11:30 P.M. Third Round Replay Sunday, July 6 Golf Channel 1:00 – 2:30 P.M. Live Bonus Coverage CBS 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. Live Final Round Coverage Golf Channel 7:00 – 11:30 P.M. Final Round Replay ABOUT THE GREENBRIER: Located in White Sulphur Springs in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, The Greenbrier has been welcoming guests since 1778. Known as "America's Resort," it encompasses 10,000 acres of undulating landscape that includes: five championship golf courses (including the exclusive Greenbrier Sporting Club's private course); a championship indoor and outdoor tennis facility (including five outdoor clay courts and five indoor courts); The Greenbrier Clinic (specializing in executive health); a 40,000-square-foot spa; a mélange of sporting activities; shops; private homes at The Greenbrier Sporting Club; guests-only casino; and, at its heart, a vast and imposing grand hotel. Purchased in 2009 by West Virginia entrepreneur James C. Justice II, The Greenbrier has undergone a $250+ million restoration and is now home to The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA TOUR, FedExCup event, and will soon launch The Greenbrier Medical Institute, a state-of-the-art medical complex on the resort's grounds. MEDIA CONTACTS: The Greenbrier Classic The Greenbrier Tom Sprouse Mark Liebermann at WEILL Media Director, The Greenbrier Classic E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 1-866-PR-WEILL Tel: 614-889-6791 Mobile: 614-519-1873 # # # .