THE US Champions Tour heads to TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz, Florida this weekend for the very non-vegetarian-friendly sounding Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.
Australia’s Peter Senior will be one of those vying for the spoils with a total prize purse of US$1.7 million, with US$255,000 and 255 Charles Schwab Cup points going to the winner.
The Champions Tour had eight former Masters Champions in the field at Augusta National last week, with all but Fred Couples, who finished tied 15th, missing the cut.
The others were Ben Crenshaw, Sandy Lyle, Larry Mize, Mark O’Meara, Craig Stadler, Tom Watson and Ian Woosnam.
Two-time Masters Champion Bernhard Langer, who would have been the defending champion this weekend, was unable to play as he is recovering from thumb surgery after a bicycle accident.
Crenshaw can be perhaps forgiven for missing the cut amongst so many young guns.
It was his 40th consecutive Masters appearance since he debuted in 1972.
Arnold Palmer played in a record 50 consecutive Masters from 1955 to 2004, followed by Doug Ford (46, 1956-2001), Raymond Floyd (45, 1965-2009), Jack Nicklaus (40, 1959-98) and Crenshaw.
One of the reasons Couples continues to do so well on the regular tour may be that he is the longest driver on the Champions Tour, with an average distance this year of 298.6 yards.
Daylight isn’t second, that’s Hal Sutton with an average distance this year of 294.3 yards.
2011 US Champions Tour Australian Television Coverage
Unfortunately 1st Round in night owl time so cheers to those with recording systems.
1st Round Saturday 2.30am to 4am
2nd Round Sunday 11.30 am to 1pm
3rd Round Monday 11.30am to 1pm
2011 US Champions Tour Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am Leaderboard