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Wyndham is getting 'big names'
Daly, Watson, Weekley, Toms latest to say they'll play at Sedgefield
AP File Photo
John Daly will likely draw some of the biggest galleries at the Wyndham.
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Published: July 8, 2009
In a break from the norm, the Wyndham Championship is receiving commitments from some big-name golfers much sooner than in years past.
"That's exactly the way I look at it," tournament director Mark Brazil said. "At this time of the year in the past, we haven't had that many so-called ‘big names' who have committed."
The latest to make official announcements were John Daly, Bubba Watson, Boo Weekley and David Toms. They join Lucas Glover, the U.S. Open champion and an earlier commitment.
In past years, some well-known golfers waited to commit until right before the deadline.
The 70th Wyndham Championship is scheduled for Aug. 20-23 at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro.
Others who have committed include Webb Simpson and Bill Haas, who played at Wake Forest, and David Mathis, a Winston-Salem native who lives in Raleigh and is a PGA Tour rookie this season.
The Wyndham will be the week after the PGA Championship in suburban Minneapolis, but the way the field already is shaping up has Brazil excited. One of the problems with the date is that many top golfers prefer to rest the week after a major as they gear up for the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Even though Daly has committed, Brazil probably will have to use a sponsor's exemptions to get him into the field. Daly served a sixth-month PGA Tour suspension that ended in May, and he has played well at times since returning.
"John is probably our biggest draw, and he's trying to get his act together," Brazil said.
Daly has dyed his hair and has lost about 40 pounds. He also has a new endorsement deal to wear Loud Mouth Golf's brightly colored clothes.
"Yeah, we might think about having a wild dress-up day for fans," Brazil said. "But in all seriousness, we are hoping that John can come here and play well."
Daly played well enough to make the cut at last year's Wyndham and drew some of the largest Sunday crowds, even though he was well out of the lead.
Daly will be making his 10th appearance in Greensboro. He finished second in the BMW Italian Open in early May and tied for 59th at last month's St. Jude Classic in Memphis, his first PGA Tour tournament of the season.
Toms, who has won 12 times on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship, has battled back from injuries the last two years.
"David is having a heck of a season," Brazil said, "and to have him in our field is a big plus."
Weekley, a two-time winner on tour, was one of the Ryder Cup stars for the U.S. team last year. He will be playing in Greensboro for the first time.
The long-hitting Watson had his best season in 2008, finishing 30th in the final FedEx Cup standings.
Glover announced his intent to play in Greensboro soon after winning the U.S. Open.
"For Lucas to commit I think sends a message about our tournament and what the players think about the course," Brazil said of Sedgefield, the only Donald Ross layout on the PGA Tour's regular-season schedule.
Brazil said that during the next month, other golfers might decide that playing in Greensboro will help their FedEx Cup standing.
"Players that are maybe struggling and not happy with their year could decide to come play our tournament," Brazil said. "But I just think that a combination of the golf course and the rave reviews the players gave it last year is what is working in our favor."
■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or jdell@wsjournal.com.
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