Time running out for last PLAYERS qualifier spots

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THE PLAYERS Championship 2009 is less than three weeks away.

Apr. 22, 2009

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- One week remains for players to qualify for this year's PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., May 4-10. There remain a few ways that players can join the field as the world's best golfers come to one of the game's most exciting courses at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Ponte Vedra's own Jeff Klauk is one of the players with a good chance at earning a final position in the field.

Competition Update
The most clear-cut -- albeit not the easiest -- way for a player not otherwise qualified to punch his ticket to Ponte Vedra Beach is to win this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans or next week's Quail Hollow Championship, as players who win PGA TOUR events since the completion of last year's PLAYERS automatically earn a spot in the field. Another way to earn a spot is to jump into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking following this week's action. Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, No. 55, is the highest player in the rankings not already qualified for THE PLAYERS. Marksaeng, who was tied for the lead after a 65 in the first round of the World Golf Championships-CA Championship, needs a good finish this week at the European Tour's Ballantine's Championship in South Korea in order to make his first trip to THE PLAYERS.

Another way to earn a spot in THE PLAYERS field is to move into the top 10 in the 2009 FedExCup points standing by April 27 (following the Zurich Classic of New Orleans). Currently all 10 of the players within the top 10 are already qualified through other categories. If necessary to complete a field of 144 players, PGA TOUR members from the 2009 FedExCup Points below the 10th position will make the field. As it stands today, there would be one position available from this category. David Toms leads the list of those not otherwise qualified at No. 27 in FedExCup points; Ponte Vedra's own Jeff Klauk is next at No. 41 followed closely by Scott Piercy at No. 42. All three are playing this week in New Orleans.

Given the standings, Klauk and Piercy would have to finish in the top four in order to have any chance of passing Toms. If neither Klauk nor Piercy win, Toms is guaranteed to retain his position over Klauk and Piercy if he finishes third or better.

"The field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and exciting we have ever had at THE PLAYERS," said Executive Director Jay Monahan. "With many of the top players in the game playing at their highest level and some of the young and up-and-coming players making names for themselves over the past year, fans can expect to see some spectacular golf here at TPC Sawgrass."

For more ticket information, go to www.PGATOUR.COM/theplayers or call (904) 285-7888.

What's New
New this year, fans at THE PLAYERS will be able to purchase small, over-the-ear radios called "Stadium Radio" for $10 that can be used to follow tournament action. The Stadium Radio is a special event radio that receives the shot-by-shot commentary from the PGA TOUR Network (Sirius XM) and GOLF CHANNEL/NBC with no delay during competitive rounds.

Fans will find sales tents to purchase "Stadium Radio" devices located at the Main Tournament Entrance (behind No. 17 tee), at the UNF Shuttle Entrance and Disabled Guest Entrance, the VIP Entrance and near the driving range.

"This is an affordable enhancement that greatly adds to the tournament experience for our fans," Monahan said. "To be able to follow the action from anywhere on the golf course will give fans an unmatched awareness of all the drama and excitement taking place at this year's PLAYERS Championship."

Charity update
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the very special partnership between the National Multiple Sclerosis Society North Florida Chapter, the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship. Since 1989, the TOUR and THE PLAYERS have donated more than $750,000 for research and programs for those living with MS through the Chapter's premier event, Bike MS: PGA TOUR Cycle to the Shore. This event will be held this year Oct. 3-4.

The Chapter is encouraging all supporters, Bike MS cyclists and people affected by MS to attend the official start of THE PLAYERS on Thursday, May 7. Join MS in wearing orange to represent the MS movement as the first groups tee off at 7:30 a.m. The National MS Society, North Florida Chapter will make a presentation to TOUR and PLAYERS representatives following the early tee times. The presentation will recognize the years of dedication and support to help create a world free of MS.

Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between brain and body and stops people from moving. With help from the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS, the National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person whose life is affected by MS and helps them stay connected to the great big moving world.