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Excitement builds as the West Coast Swing begins
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- This week’s season-opening Mercedes Championships marks the beginning of the ninth year of the West Coast Swing, a competition that rewards the best performer over the first nine tournaments of the new PGA TOUR season. For the second consecutive year, Allianz is the presenting sponsor. At the conclusion of the West Coast Swing presented by Allianz, a $500,000 winner’s bonus is presented to the player who accumulates the most points based on top-10 finishes in those nine TOUR events. Phil Mickelson, who won the FBR Open and AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in back-to-back weeks, won the competition for the third time in 2005. Adam Scott finished runner-up and collected $300,000, while third-place finisher David Toms earned $200,000. Mickelson finished with 203.125 points, while Scott had 160.41 and Toms, 157.500. "Everyone at Allianz Life is excited that the West Coast Swing presented by Allianz will again open a new PGA TOUR season," said Allianz President and CEO, Mark Zesbaugh. "I'm looking forward to seeing the top-performing professional golfers in the world compete for the King of Swing title. Anyone who seeks to take the crown from Phil Mickelson will have to pass a serious test of nerves and skill and play at the top of their game over the next eight weeks. We're very pleased to bring this very special competition to golf fans everywhere." Mickelson also won the competition during its inaugural year of 1998 and again in 2004. Tiger Woods earned the title in 1999-2000, Davis Love III captured the 2001 title, Chris DiMarco in 2002 and Mike Weir won in 2003. The West Coast Swing consists of the first nine PGA TOUR events of the year.
Mercedes Championships Jan. 2-8 ESPN |
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