Strong 2009 Shark Shootout field coming together

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Tim Clark will be joining the party at The Shark Shootout this year after a successful, albeit winless, year on TOUR.

Oct. 27, 2009

NAPLES, Fla. -- The field for the 21st edition of The Shark Shootout is set as the tournament returns to Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort Dec. 9-13.

Tournament host Greg Norman announced Tuesday that Tim Clark, J.B. Holmes, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Graeme McDowell have accepted invitations to compete. Nick Watney, who was previously announced, has withdrawn from the event.

"The field represents as solid a group of guys, both on and off the course, as we have had in The Shark Shootout's history," said Norman. "Southwest Floridians and viewers worldwide are in for an entertaining week of golf for a tremendous cause. I look forward to returning to Tiburón alongside Fred Couples in less than two months."

Earlier this month, Norman announced he will team with Couples, a three-time winner of the Shootout. It marks the second time in tournament history the two Presidents Cup captains will be paired together. In 2002, Couples and Norman finished 11th.

"We anticipate the remaining 10 two-man teams will be announced at this time next week," said Taylor Ives, tournament director. "Defending Champions Kenny Perry and Scott Hoch will be met by an outstanding field of challengers during what promises to be a great competition."

Clark recently competed in the Presidents Cup and enjoyed one of the best individual performances on the International team with a 2-2-1 record. The South African, who will be making his debut in The Shark Shootout, ended the week with an impressive Singles victory over Zach Johnson.

Kuchar is enjoying his best year on the PGA TOUR. A few weeks ago, he earned his second career victory at the Turning Stone Resort Championship. He has accumulated five top-10 finishes this year and will be making his first appearance in Naples since 2003.

Johnson won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am earlier this year and is ranked 44th in the world. The South Carolina native, who finished 14th in the FedExCup standings, will be making his first appearance in The Shark Shootout.

McDowell will be making his second appearance in The Shark Shootout. He finished ninth with partner Ian Poulter last year. He is a four-time winner on the European Tour and tied for 10th at this year's PGA Championship.

Seven players in the field won PGA TOUR tournaments during the 2009 season and four of those are multiple winners this year. This group accumulated 12 tournament victories this year. Steve Stricker won three times, while Zach Johnson, Brian Gay and Kenny Perry each won two titles. Jerry Kelly, Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were winners as well.

Eleven players are currently ranked among the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking -- Stricker (3), Perry (8), Zach Johnson (20), Poulter (21), Ross Fisher (26), Clark (37), Gay (38), Justin Leonard (41), Dustin Johnson (44), Chad Campbell (46) and Scott Verplank (49).