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Following is a summary of the tournaments that will comprise the 2007 FedEx Cup season: Mercedes Championships -- Leads off FedEx Cup season in Hawaii with elite field of year's past winners. Shifts to The Golf Channel for four rounds of primetime coverage; part of Hawaii Tourism Authority's Aloha Season. Sony Open in Hawaii -- Second of three straight full coverage events for The Golf Channel, also airs in primetime. Typically strong field should be enhanced by FedEx Cup incentive and improvements to the golf course. Bob Hope Chrysler Classic -- Popular pro-am event moves to all five rounds on The Golf Channel. New Classic Club at Northstar serving as host site, strengthening four-course rotation. Buick Invitational -- Traditionally strong field at Torrey Pines, keeps same date on CBS, played in the open week prior to NFL's Super Bowl. FBR Open -- Moves from CBS to NBC for 2007, remaining in popular Super Bowl weekend date. One of most well-attended sporting events in world, annually attracting 500,000 fans on site. AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am -- Maintains traditionally strong date on CBS. This marquee pro-am enables Monterey Peninsula Foundation to remain a leader in annual charitable donations. Nissan Open -- Returns to CBS for first time since 2003, leading into World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. Historic Riviera Country Club one of favorite courses on TOUR. World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship -- Season's first World Golf Championships event kicks off six straight weeks of NBC coverage. Five-day event features 64 top-ranked players in world playing single elimination match play format. The Honda Classic -- Replaces Doral as first event of NBC Southern Swing, expected to have positive impact on field strength. Tampa Bay Championship -- Shifts from October to become second event in Florida swing. Played at highly regarded Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook Resort, which has attracted top-5 field on TOUR as fall event and should perform strongly in spring date. Bay Hill Invitational Presented by MasterCard -- Popular event hosted by Arnold Palmer maintains traditional slot on schedule. Now leads into newly positioned World Golf Championships event. World Golf Championships-CA Championship -- Repositioned event at Doral takes over THE PLAYERS Championship's longstanding slot, anchoring Florida swing. CA becomes title sponsor at popular Doral Blue Course; replaces American Express Championship as World Golf Championships event. It maintains format of approximately 72 top-ranked players off Official World Golf Ranking and money lists of the member Tours of the International Federation of PGA Tours in 72-hole stroke play with no cut. New to NBC schedule. Shell Houston Open -- Moving one month earlier should provide better weather and firmer, faster course conditions. Switches from CBS to become final event of NBC's six-week stretch and lead-in to Masters Tournament. MCI Heritage -- Maintains customary position following the Masters, second of CBS's five-week stretch of telecasts. Harbour Town Golf Links among TOUR players' favorite courses. Zurich Classic of New Orleans -- Continues on CBS in mid-April. Details for 2007 will develop as New Orleans recovers from impact of Hurricane Katrina. EDS Byron Nelson Championship -- TOUR's all-time top charity donor remains on CBS but moves two weeks earlier in schedule. Honors one of golf's greatest players and gentlemen. Wachovia Championship -- In just three years, this has become a premier event on TOUR. Becomes lead-in to THE PLAYERS Championship, further strengthening position. Anchors stretch of five straight CBS telecasts. THE PLAYERS Championship -- Moves from late March to second weekend in May, continues on NBC. Debuts significant renovations at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass, including new clubhouse, fan enhancements and state-of-art drainage that assures consistent firm/fast conditions. New broadcast format will feature limited commercial interruptions. BellSouth Classic -- Moves from early April on NBC to mid-May, kicking off four-week stretch of events on CBS. By playing month later, will benefit from improved weather. The Colonial Invitational -- Great tradition, longest-running host course on PGA TOUR (since 1946). Maintains same position on schedule on CBS. the Memorial Tournament presented by Morgan Stanley -- Jack Nicklaus-hosted invitational remains in traditional slot two weeks prior to U.S. Open on CBS. Stanford St. Jude Championship -- Has new title sponsor in Stanford Financial Group, FedEx continues involvement as Presenting Sponsor. Remaining on CBS, will lead into U.S. Open. 84 LUMBER Classic -- Significant change, moving from fall to FedEx Cup schedule and from cable to CBS. Following NBC's coverage of U.S. Open, kicks off 10 straight weeks of CBS coverage. Several years of course improvements already has improved stature among players. Buick Open -- Continues on CBS, but moves from early August to late June. Buick is longest running title sponsor on TOUR, dating back to 1958. The INTERNATIONAL -- Moves from early August to early July, remains on CBS. Change should reduce potential for storm interruptions. Continues unique Stableford points scoring system. John Deere Classic -- While remaining as early July lead-in to British Open, moves to CBS and will feature later air time. Continues to grow and generate significant money for charity. Bell Canadian Open -- Moves from September date and cable coverage to late July on CBS, one week after British Open. Summer date will provide warmer weather and firmer, faster course conditions. World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational -- Bridgestone begins title sponsorship in 2006, replacing NEC, but event continues at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Weekend coverage remains on CBS. Now will lead into PGA Championship; one of the year's strongest fields. Carolina Classic at Greensboro -- Moves from fall to become last FedEx Cup event prior to Championship Series; follows PGA Championship. Last week for players to qualify for Championship Series and improve seeding position. Barclays Classic -- First of four Championship Series events in FedEx Cup, moving from early June to late August; final telecast of season for CBS. Deutsche Bank Championship -- Maintains same slot on schedule, but becomes part of decisive Championship Series and first of three straight televised by NBC. Championship Series/Chicago -- Historic event moves from July to determine final 30 players competing for FedEx Cup. THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola -- Elite 30-player field culminates FedEx Cup season on NBC. |
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