Couples, Pavin and Azinger sign on for Toshiba Classic
Monday, February 1, 2010
Newport Beach — Fred Couples, Corey Pavin and Paul Azinger are three of the Champions Tour newcomers in 2010 who have already committed to the Toshiba Classic, March 1-7 at Newport Beach Country Club.
Couples, Pavin and Azinger bring world-class games that remain competitive on the PGA tour and should instantly challenge the current hierarchy of the Champions Tour. All three players are expected to split 2010 between the PGA and Champions Tours. In 2009, Couples tied for third at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club and the Shell Houston Open and tied for fifth at the Wyndham Championship. Pavin posted four top-20 finishes last year, including a tie for 19th at the PGA Championship.
“What I’m looking forward to is really having fun and seeing the fellows … being with guys that, as a very young player, I competed against – Fuzzy Zoeller, Jay Haas, Curtis Strange and Loren Roberts – and other guys I played with a long time. So I have been looking forward to being 50,” Couples said. “My goal is to play where I belong and, really, it’s probably on the Champions Tour. My days on the PGA TOUR will soon be gone. When I’m at home, most of the events I watch are Champions Tour events. Everyone seems like a winner out here. If I get healthy, and I play well, then I should really be great for the Champions Tour. I should be able to win. I should be able to compete.”
All three players continue to be strong influences on the greatest players in the world in the highest-caliber match play events. Azinger captained the 2008 United States Ryder Cup team to its first triumph over Europe since 1999. Pavin will assume Azinger’s duties in this year’s Ryder Cup, in Wales in October. In October of last year, Couples captained the U.S. Presidents Cup team to victory over the International team in San Francisco.
The $1.7 million Toshiba Classic awards a $255,000 winner’s check and will be televised on Golf Channel on Friday, March 5 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7, from 3:30-6 p.m. Daily tickets are $20 if purchased in advance and are $25 at the gate. Season clubhouse badges providing admission to the grounds and clubhouse for practice rounds and the tournament are $100.
In 2009, Argentina’s Eduardo Romero shot a final-round 3-under-par 68, rolling in four birdies from the first six holes on the back nine, to become the fourth international (non-U.S.) player to win the Toshiba Classic at 11-under 202. It was Romero’s fourth victory in his last 10 Champions Tour starts, fifth Champions Tour win overall and his 100th professional triumph worldwide.
The Toshiba Classic’s lead charity and operator is Hoag Hospital Foundation. During the last 12 years, the Toshiba Classic has raised more than $12 million for charity, the most on the Champions Tour. Hoag Hospital Foundation also received the inaugural PGA Champions Tour Charity of the Year Award in 1998.
Tags: golf, Newport Beach, toshiba classic
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