Woods commits to Charlotte; Tiger, Mickelson in PLAYERS

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Fans will be thrilled to see Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson back in action after their final-round duel at the Masters.

Tiger Woods committed Friday to play in his next two events on the PGA TOUR -- the Quail Hollow Championship next week and THE PLAYERS Championship the following week. Phil Mickelson will also be making an appearance in both events

Woods' schedule has remained in flux since returning earlier this year from an eight-month absence following reconstructive knee surgery. His last appearance was at the Masters two weeks ago when he tied for sixth.

Woods won at Quail Hollow in 2007 but couldn't defend last year because he was recovering from his first knee surgery to repair cartilage damage. That surgery also kept him out of last year's PLAYERS Championship. Woods would eventually return to win the U.S. Open before undergoing season-ending knee surgery eight days later.

"We are very happy to have Tiger coming back," said Executive Director Kym Hougham. "With the exception of Joey Sindelar, who has moved on to the Champions Tour, we have all of our past champions returning. The patrons and the community of Charlotte are in for a real treat this year."

Woods will be making his fourth appearance in the Quail Hollow Championship. Besides his victory in 2007, Woods tied for third in 2004 and tied for 11th in 2005.

Woods' appearance at Quail Hollow gives the tournament in Charlotte, N.C., one of the best fields on the PGA TOUR with 10 of the top 14 golfers in the world rankings.

Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Vijay Singh, defending champion Anthony Kim, Jim Furyk and Masters champion Angel Cabrera are also all scheduled to play.

Woods won THE PLAYERS Championship in 2001 but hasn't finished in the top 10 since then at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. A 66-time PGA TOUR winner and 2007 FedExCup Champion, Woods earned his first victory of 2009 in his third event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard.

In 11 trips to THE PLAYERS, Woods has never missed the cut. He has three top-10 finishes, including his victory in 2001 and a runner-up finish in 2000. Since winning in 2001, Woods has gone six events without finishing inside the top 10. The six consecutive appearances at a single event without a top-10 finish is the longest stretch at any tournament in Woods' career.

Mickelson is ranked No. 2 in the 2009 FedExCup Regular Season standings and in the Official World Golf Ranking thanks to two victories and four top-10 finishes this year. Mickelson successfully defended his 2008 Northern Trust Open title this year and later won his first-ever World Golf Championships event at the CA Championship at Doral Resort & Spa. Mickelson, who won THE PLAYERS in 2007, joins Woods and Fred Couples as the only players currently qualified who have won THE PLAYERS and the Masters Tournament.

Mickelson holds or shares several PLAYERS scoring records:

• Low nine-hole score (back nine): (9-way tie) 30 (6-under), 1996, TPC Sawgrass, 3rd round
• Low first-round score: (7-way tie) 64 (8-under), 2002, TPC Sawgrass
• Low third-round score: (4-way tie) 64 (8-under), 1996, TPC Sawgrass

"Building on the momentum from their pairing at Sunday's round at Augusta, it will be exciting for fans to watch the world's top-ranked players take on the deepest field in golf at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course," said Executive Director Jay Monahan. "This is going to be a great event, and there are many affordable ticket options available so that families can enjoy the showdown at TPC Sawgrass.

"We've expanded our youth policy so that children 16 and under get in free all week. Our $149 Family Plan allows two adults to park and bring as many children as they want to the event. And our $5 meal deal means a family of four can have lunch for $20. There's no better value in sports -- and there's certainly no more exciting event than THE PLAYERS."