Justin Leonard to Play in 2001 Buick Open
FOR RELEASE: July 16, 2001Justin Leonard to Play in 2001 Buick Open
DETROIT - Buick announced today that 1996 Buick Open champion Justin Leonard is among the latest commitments for the 2001 Buick Open, August 6-12 at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich.
Leonard, 29, captured the 1996 Buick Open by five shots over Chip Beck and is currently 16th on the Buick Open's all-time money list. The Dallas native has five career PGA Tour victories, including the 1997 British Open and THE PLAYERS Championship in 1998. Leonard, who is currently 19th on the all-time PGA tour money list with more than $9.9 million, will be making his seventh consecutive appearance at the Buick Open.
"Justin Leonard is one of the top young players on the PGA Tour," said Tony Derhake, executive director of golf for Buick. "He was a great Buick Open champion and we're very pleased to have him in the 2001 field."
Other new commitments for the 2001 Buick Open include 1999 Buick Classic champion Duffy Waldorf, Olin Browne, Bart Bryant, Dicky Pride and Frank Lickliter II.
Among the previous commitments for the 2001 Buick Open are defending champion Rocco Mediate, 1998 Buick Open champion Billy Mayfair, 1997 Buick Open champion Vijay Singh, 2001 U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk, Jose Maria Olazabal and Buick touring professionals Ben Crenshaw, David Berganio Jr., J.J. Henry and Matt Gogel. Although he has not officially committed to the tournament, 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 its 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. (Oct. 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 has donated more than $19.8 million to local charities through its four title-sponsored PGA Tour events.