PLAYERS Championship field finalized

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Defending champion Sergio Garcia is one of the many headliners that will tee it up in next week's PLAYERS Championship.

The deepest field in golf has been finalized for next week's PLAYERS Championship. Since Sean O'Hair, who won Sunday's Quail Hollow Championship, was already qualified for THE PLAYERS, Bob Estes will round out the field of 145.

The current field has combined for 500 PGA TOUR victories and includes every winner on the TOUR dating back to the 2007 AT&T National, a total of 53 different players. The field also showcases 21 winners of 44 major championships, 10 past champions of THE PLAYERS and 96 of the top 100 from the 2008 FedExCup list.

A total of 52 players headed to TPC Sawgrass are from outside the Unites States, highlighted by defending champion Sergio Garcia and 2009 FedExCup Regular Season points leader Geoff Ogilvy, and represent 20 countries. Australia leads the way with 12 players, including 2004 PLAYERS Champion Adam Scott. England is second with seven players, while Sweden is next with six. The other countries represented are: South Africa (5); South Korea (3); New Zealand (2); Northern Ireland (2); Germany (2); Canada (2); Argentina; Spain (1); Japan (1); Ireland (1); Scotland (1); India (1); Fiji (1); Denmark (1); Colombia (1); and Thailand (1). International players have experienced success at TPC Sawgrass as four of the last eight PLAYERS Champions have come from outside of the United States, although only nine in the 34-year history of the event.

Tiger Woods will make his return to TPC Sawgrass and THE PLAYERS after a one-year absence due to knee surgery in 2008. The world's No. 1 ranked player and 2001 PLAYERS Champion, Woods has not missed a cut in 11 appearances at THE PLAYERS but has not recorded a top-10 finish in the event since his victory seven years ago. He is joined by the world's No. 2 ranked player and 2007 PLAYERS Champion, Phil Mickelson, who has won twice already this year and is No. 2 in the current FedExCup points standings. Both Woods, who is No. 14 in FedExCup points standings, and Mickelson are playing well this week at the Quail Hollow Championship.

Eighteen players are making their first start at THE PLAYERS and will be featured in a press event on Wednesday, May 6, at 10 a.m. in the Media Center: Brad Adamonis (USA); Matt Bettencourt (USA); Ross Fisher (ENG); Thongchai Jaidee (THA); Martin Kaymer (GER); Soren Kjeldsen (DEN); Jeff Klauk (USA); Martin Laird (SCO); Michael Letzig (USA); Rory McIlroy (N.IRL); Parker McLachlin (USA); Scott Piercy (USA); Chez Reavie (USA); Jeev M. Singh (IND); Kevin Streelman (USA); Marc Turnesa (USA); Oliver Wilson (ENG); and Y.E. Yang (S.KOR).

Daily and weekly tickets are still available, as well as Champions Club and Island Club packages. The easiest way to find out more about the tickets available or to order and print your own tickets is via www.PGATOUR.COM/theplayers. Tickets are also available for purchase all week at 53 local Publix supermarkets or by calling (904) 285-7888.

In addition, fans should remember that while parking at TPC Sawgrass is free to the general public during practice rounds (May 4-6), beginning on Thursday, May 7, all on-site parking will require a parking pass that must be purchased in advance. Weekly and daily parking passes can be purchased at www.PGATOUR.COM/theplayers

Beginning Thursday, parking will be available free of charge at the University of North Florida (UNF Lot), where spectators will ride a complimentary shuttle to the tournament. The shuttles feature video programming about THE PLAYERS and volunteers who will answer questions. The UNF Lot is located off of J. Turner Butler Blvd. (Hwy 202) and 9A.