U.S. Open Champ Goosen To Play 2001 Buick Open
FOR RELEASE: July 11, 2001U.S. Open Champ Goosen To Play 2001 Buick Open
Detroit, Mich. -- Buick announced today that 2001 U.S. Open winner Retief (re-Teef) Goosen is scheduled to play in the 2001 Buick Open, August 6-12 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich.
Goosen, 32, recently captured the $900,000 first prize at the U.S. Open at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. (June 14-17). His best PGA Tour finish prior to this year was a tie for 12th at the U.S. Open. Goosen will be making his second appearance at the Buick Open. He missed the cut in 1997 after shooting 73-72.
Goosen, who was born in Pietersburg, South Africa, turned professional in 1990 and was named South African Tour Rookie-of-the-Year in 1991. He is a six-time winner on the South African Tour.
"We are very pleased that Goosen will be joining us for the 2001 Buick Open," said Tony Derhake, executive director of Buick Golf. "He is an outstanding player and he will make a great addition to the field."
In addition to Goosen, other early commitments include 2000 Buick Open defending champion Rocco Mediate, Tom Lehman, Jose Maria Olazabal and Buick touring professionals Ben Crenshaw, David Berganio Jr., JJ Henry and Matt Gogel. Although he is not officially committed with the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods is scheduled to play in the 2001 Buick Open.
These and other PGA Tour players will compete for a tournament record purse of $3.1 million, including the $558,000 winner's share. Players have until Friday, August 3 to commit to the 2001 Buick Open.
The number to call for tickets and information is 1 (800) 878-OPEN (6736).
Now in it's fifth decade as the PGA Tour's original corporate sponsor, Buick is title-sponsor of four PGA Tour events: The Buick Invitational in La Jolla, Calif.(Feb.); the Buick Classic in Harrison, N.Y(June); the Buick Open; and the Buick Challenge in Pine Mountain, Ga. (October 22-28). Buick is also an official sponsor of the domestic events of the World Golf Championships.
The official car of the PGA Tour since 1984, Buick sponsors five touring professionals - Tiger Woods, Ben Crenshaw, David Berganio Jr., Matt Gogel and rookie J.J. Henry. Through it's four title-sponsored PGA Tour events Buick has raised more than $19.8 million for local charities.