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2007 Mercedes-Benz Championship player profiles
| Mercedes-Benz Championship profiles |
Stephen Ames
2006 Victory: THE PLAYERS Championship
Returns to the Mercedes-Benz Championship for the second time as he
begins his 10th season on the PGA TOURCaptured his biggest event yet,
The 2006 PLAYERS Championship by six strokes over Retief GoosenPosted
the lowest final-round score (67) when the scoring average was 75.378,
the second-toughest Sunday in TPC Sawgrass history...Earned his second
appearance in THE TOUR Championship in his first nine years on TOUR
but could not participate due to an injuryParticipated in his first LG
Skins Game in 2006 and walked away the winner with eight skins and $590,000.
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Stuart Appleby
2006 Victories: Mercedes Championships, Shell Houston Open
One of only four players to have at least one official TOUR
victory in each of the last four seasons (Tiger Woods-11 straight,
Vijay Singh-5, David Toms-4)One of six multiple winners in 2006 and
did so for the first time in 11 years on TOUROne of six Aussies to win
on TOUR in 2006Joined Gene Littler (1955-57) as the only players to
win three consecutive Mercedes Championships and became first player
in tournament history to win the Shell Houston Open in wire-to-wire
fashion. In Hawaii, held second- and third-round leads prior to
defeating Vijay Singh with a birdie on the first playoff hole. One of
two players in 28-man field to post four sub-par rounds as he finished
the event at 8-under 284, the highest 72-hole winning total since the
tournament moved to Kapalua in 1999 and the highest in tournament
history since Gary Player won with a 4-under 284 in 1969 at La Costa
CC... Has posted 13 of his last 14 rounds at the Plantation Course
below par and is 51-under par at the tournament during his three
victoriesHolds Plantation Course tournament records for highest start
(1-over 74/2005) and highest finish (2-under 71/2004 & '06) by a winner.
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Eric Axley
2006 Victory: Valero Texas Open
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipOne of four rookies to win in 2006
(J.B. Holmes, Trevor Immelman, Troy Matteson)One of eight rookies to
earn more than $1 million in 2006After minimal success in his first 26
starts, became the eighth left-hander to win in TOUR history at the
Valero Texas Open. After playing his first 14 holes 1-over par, played
his final 58 holes 16-under and went a stretch of 53 holes without
making a bogey Led by four entering the final round and carded a
1-over 71 to win by three over three players. The 71 marked the first
time since 1960 that a Valero Texas Open champion carded an over-par
final round. Arnold Palmer overcame sub-freezing temperatures to win
in 1960 despite a final-round 75.
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Aaron Baddeley
2006 Victory: Verizon Heritage Classic
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipHad a career year with a TOUR victory
and more than $1.5 million in earnings... One of six Aussies to win on
TOUR in 2006Won the Verizon Heritage for his first PGA TOUR title,
rallying with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15, two of the hardest holes on
the PGA TOUR, and beating Jim Furyk with a 6-foot par putt on Harbour
Town's lighthouse closing hole. On Easter Sunday morning, Baddeley,
who aspires to be a minister when his golf career is complete, spoke
at Harbour Town's Sunrise Service by the 18th green. He also
celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary on Saturday... Led the
TOUR in putts per round (27.96).
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Chad Campbell
2006 Victory: Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
Finished in the top 30 (No. 14) on the 2006 PGA TOUR money list
for fourth straight season...Has picked up a win in three of the last
four seasons on TOUR (did not in 2005)Began 2006 season at Sony Open
in Hawaii, where he shared the 54-hole lead, then finished T2 five
shots short of Toms...One week later, re-entered the winner's circle
for the first time since 2004 with a victory at the Bob Hope Chrysler
ClassicHas struggled during final round of his two Mercedes-Benz
Championship starts, posting a pair of 75s on Sunday.
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K.J. Choi
2006 Victory: Chrysler Championship
One of nine players to collect a win in each of the last two
seasons (2005-06)The 2002 champion held the 36- and 54-hole leads at
the Chrysler Championship, then fired a final-round 67 to win by four
strokesNow has four TOUR wins, the most wins by an Asian-born player
on the PGA TOURMaking his third appearance in Kapalua, where the
difference between his two starts was 33 strokes (23-under in 2003,
10-over in 2006)Holds the Plantation Course record after an 11-under
62 during the third round of the 2003 tournament.
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Chris Couch
2006 Victory: Zurich Classic of New Orleans
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipWin is just one of three top-10s in
87 career starts and was only one of 2006Collected more than $1
million in season earnings for the first time in his career...Claimed
first PGA TOUR victory one day shy of 33rd birthday at the Zurich
Classic of New Orleans with a 54-foot chip-in par on 72nd holeOpened
70-70 to make the cut on the number, and grabbed 54-hole lead with an
8-under-par 64 on a blustery SaturdayOn Sunday, posted final-round 65
that included a 12-foot bogey putt on No. 17 and the chip-in par on
No. 18 after a difficult bunker shot behind green left him lying three
in the green-side roughThe 269 total (19-under par) bested Charles
Howell III and Fred Funk by one stroke.
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Ben Curtis
2006 Victories: Booz Allen Classic, 84 LUMBER Classic
Had a stellar year, picking up two more PGA TOUR titles and
earning more than $2.2 million, giving him a spot in THE TOUR
Championship for the first time in his career... One of six multiple
winners in 2006 and did so for the first time in his careerSlept on
the lead for five consecutive nights at the Booz Allen Classic as
multiple delays forced a Tuesday morning finish prior to defeating
four players by five strokesSecond win came three months later at the
84 LUMBER Classic, defeating Charles Howell III by two strokesWill not
have the opportunity to defend either tournament as both are not a
part of the 2007 PGA TOUR scheduleHas six career top-10s in his four
years on the PGA TOUR, three of which are victoriesFinished last in
his only other appearance at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in 2004.
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Luke Donald
2006 Victory: The Honda Classic
Making his second appearance at Kapalua, his first in four
yearsMade 16 cuts in 18 starts, with a career-best 10 top-10s and
earnings of more than $3 millionWon The Honda Classic, his second TOUR
victory by two strokes over Geoff OgilvyFinished the year ranked
fourth in scoring average, 69.17 and led the TOUR in par-3 scoring
average, 2.96. Only seven players were below par in par-3 scoring
average for the season. Led the TOUR in Sand Save Percentage, 63.64%.
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Joe Durant
2006 Victory: FUNAI Classic at WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort
Finished a career-best 13th on the PGA TOUR money list and
wrapped up Player of the Month honors for October/November thanks to
completing the season with five consecutive top-10s, including his
fourth career TOUR victory at the FUNAI Classic at Walt Disney World
Resort. Earned 72 percent ($2,016,450) of his earnings during the
five-tournament stretch... Earned fourth career victory at the FUNAI
Classic, more than five years after his last win at the 2001 Genuity
Championship. Final-round 65 helped him overcome the one-stroke lead
of Troy Matteson after 54 holes to defeat Matteson and Frank Lickliter
II by fourEnded season with 17 consecutive rounds of par or better,
the longest current streak...Led TOUR in Driving Accuracy (78.43%) for
second time in his career (2001)...Finished T6 on TOUR in Greens in
Regulation, eighth straight season in the top 10 in that
categoryMaking his third start at Kapalua and first in five yearsHas
not posted a top-10 in his previous two trips.
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Jim Furyk
2006 Victories: Wachovia Championship, Canadian Open
Finished a career-high second on the PGA TOUR money list and won
twice in a season for just the second time (2003)Has now collected at
least one victory in 10 of his 13 seasons on TOUR...Led TOUR in
top-fives with 11, including nine top-threesOne of six multiple
winners in 2006Shared TOUR lead in top-10s with Vijay Singh (13)...Won
his first Vardon Trophy awarded by the PGA of America for best scoring
average on the PGA TOUR (68.86) but finished second on TOUR, where the
minimum number of rounds to qualify is 50 (Tiger Woods- 68.11). Vardon
Trophy minimum is 60...Five top-10s since Mercedes-Benz Championship
moved to Kapalua in 1999 are third-most behind Vijay Singh (7) and
tiger Woods (6)Has posted 23 of his last 24 rounds at par or better
with 22 of those being sub-par roundsOf the 28 rounds he has played at
Kapalua, his only two over-par rounds have both come during the final
round (75 in 1999 and 74 in 2004).
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J.J. Henry
2006 Victory: Buick Championship
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipHad a career year on the PGA TOUR
finishing 29th on the TOUR money list, making his first U.S. Ryder Cup
Team (0-0-3) and collecting his first TOUR victory...In 177th PGA TOUR
start, picked up first career TOUR title in home state of Connecticut
at Buick Championship, where he made his first TOUR start as an
amateur in 1998. First state-born player to win the Buick Championship
and 11th first-time winner in 55-year historyQualified for the 2007
Masters, his first, with money list finish.
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Tim Herron
2006 Victory: Bank of America Colonial
Finished season in the top 40 for the seventh time in his 10-year
career and picked up a victory for the first time in seven
years...Defeated Richard S. Johnson in a two-hole playoff at the Bank
of America Colonial to collect his first TOUR victory in more than
seven years (1999 Bay Hill Invitational)Returns to Kapalua for just
the second time but is making his fourth appearance in the Tournament
of Championsdoes not have a top-10 finish in three previous startshas
posted just four of his 11 rounds at par or better.
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J.B. Holmes
2006 Victory: FBR Open
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipOne of four rookies to win in 2006
(Trevor Immelman, Eric Axley, Troy Matteson)One of eight rookies to
earn more than $1 million in 2006In fourth start of the season, fifth
as a professional, earned his first TOUR victory at the FBR OpenLed
J.J. Henry and Ryan Palmer by one stroke through 54 holes prior to
winning by seven strokes, the largest victory margin in a player's
first TOUR win since Jose Maria Olazabal won the 1990 NEC World Series
of Golf by 12 strokesBecame first rookie to win on TOUR in 2006 and
topped Retief Goosen's record of becoming the fastest player to win $1
million in TOUR history as a member -- four eventsWent from not being
ranked in Official World Golf Ranking at beginning of season to World
No. 77 after the win...Placed second behind Bubba Watson in Driving
Distance on TOUR, averaging 318.8 yards per drive to Watson's 319.6.
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Trevor Immelman
2006 Victory: Cialis Western Open
Named Rookie of the Year by his peersOne of 13 first-time winners
in 2006 and making first appearance at the Mercedes-Benz Championship
One of four rookies to win in 2006 (J.B. Holmes, Eric Axley, Troy
Matteson)One of eight rookies to earn more than $1 million in 2006
First rookie since Jerry Pate (1976) to finish 10th or better on the
season-ending money list (seventh). Led all rookies with eight top-10s
in 24 startsOvercame the two-shot lead of Vijay Singh on final day to
capture first TOUR event at the Cialis Western Open, punctuated by a
30-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to clinch two-stroke win over
Tiger Woods and Mathew GogginBecame just the sixth player to post four
rounds in the 60s since the event moved to Cog Hill in 1991Finished as
runner-up twice in May in back-to-back weeks at the Wachovia
Championship and the EDS Byron Nelson ChampionshipLost in playoff to
Jim Furyk at Wachovia.
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Davis Love III
2006 Victory: Chrysler Classic of Greensboro
Stepped back into the winner's circle for the first time since
2003 with a victory in his home state of North CarolinaWin came over
14 years after last Greensboro victory in April 1992Has won five
tournaments more than once and his second victory at Forest Oaks
Country Club made him the eighth multiple winner in Greensboro Became
the 10th player since the tournament moved to Forest Oaks CC in 1977
to shoot four rounds in the 60s as he defeated Jason Bohn by two
strokesWas his 19th PGA TOUR victory in 21 years on TOUR, tying him
for 37th on the Career Win List with Ben Crenshaw, Doug Ford, Hubert
Green and Tom Kite...Making his 12th appearance at the Mercedes Benz
Championship, the most by any player in this year's fieldHas recorded
27 of his last 28 rounds in the tournament at par or better and 11 of
12 at KapaluaThis will be just the fourth time that he has played in
the event since it moved to Hawaii in 1999Has seven top-10s in his
last nine trips to the Tournament of Champions, including two of three
in Hawaii.
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Will MacKenzie
2006 Victory: Reno-Tahoe Open
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz Championship Second year on TOUR highlighted by
first career win at the Reno-Tahoe Open, his only top-10 of the
season...One of 13 first-time winners on TOUR in 2006...Finished
season No. 100 on the money list...Win at the Reno-Tahoe Open came in
his 47th career startSet tournament first-round scoring record with a
9-under 63. Held first-round lead and shared third-round lead prior to
making a 10-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole to defeat Bob Estes by a stroke.
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Jeff Maggert
2006 Victory: FedEx St. Jude Classic
Along with Tim Herron, who won the week prior, another player who
picked up his first win in more than seven years on the PGA TOUR with
his victory at the FedEx St. Jude ClassicAfter opening 72-66-68, came
from three strokes back of Herron and Tom Pernice, Jr. with
final-round 5-under-par 65, aided by an eagle on No. 16 and a birdie
on No. 17The first-round 2-over 72 was the high start by a winner in
2006. Needed only 99 putts, one of just two players (Aaron
Baddeley/97/Verizon Heritage) to use less than 100 putts in a 72-hole
event in 2006Returns to Kapalua for the second time and to the
Tournament of Champions for the third time in his careerHis best
finish came in 1994 (T4) when the tournament was played at La Costa CC
in Carlsbad, CACarries a third-round scoring average of 67.00 in the
tournament, over three strokes better than any other round for him.
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Troy Matteson
2006 Victory: Fry's.com Open
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz Championship One of four rookies to win in 2006
(J.B. Holmes, Trevor Immelman, Eric Axley)One of eight rookies to earn
over $1 million in 2006After an unremarkable start to rookie campaign
(no top-10s in 27 starts), ended with five consecutive top-10s,
including a victory at the Frys.com OpenOne of four rookies to win in
2006 (J.B. Holmes, Trevor Immelman, Eric Axley)Nominated for PGA TOUR
Rookie of the Year... Recorded his first TOUR victory in his 33rd
professional TOUR start at the Frys.com OpenWin was his third
consecutive top-10 finishFour rounds in the 60s, including middle
rounds of 65-64, left him one stroke ahead of Daniel Chopra and Ben
CraneThe 64 matched his career-low round on TOUR, which came during
the second round of the 2006 Ford Championship at Doral. Held a
one-stroke lead entering the final round...One week later, seeking to
become the first player since fellow Georgia Tech alum David Duval
(1997) to win first two events back-to-back, held the 54-hole lead at
the FUNAI ClassicOvercome by Joe Durant in the final round, finishing
T2, four strokes behind Durant after a final-round 70Began streak with
top-10s at Southern Farm Bureau Classic (T8), Chrysler Classic of
Greensboro (T6) and ended with a T9 at the Chrysler
Championship...Finish in the top 40 on money list guarantees a Masters
invite for 2007.
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Arron Oberholser
2006 Victory: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz Championship Collected his first TOUR title and
earned more than $2 million, giving him a spot in THE TOUR
Championship for the first time...Claimed his first PGA TOUR victory
on his home turf at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, a course he
has played since he was a teenagerClosed with an even-par 72 and
cruised to a five-shot victory, matching the largest margin in the
77-year history of the tournament...In the second round of the EDS
Byron Nelson Championship, set the Cottonwood Valley course record
with a 10-under-par 60Aiming to become just the fourth player in TOUR
history to post a round of 59 in an official event, missed 15-foot
birdie putt on No. 18.
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Geoff Ogilvy
2006 Victories: World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play
Championship, U.S. Open
Making a second consecutive trip to Kapalua after having a career
season in 2006Captured his first World Golf Championships event in
February and followed that with his first major championship in
JuneWill return to Tucson in February as sort of a double defending
champion of the 2006 Accenture Match Play Championship/2005 Chrysler
Classic of Tucson...In 2005, captured his first victory at the
Chrysler Classic of Tucson a title he did not get to defend because he
was eligible for the match-play eventOne of nine players to collect a
win in each of the last two seasons (2005-06)One of six multiple
winners in 2006 and did so for the first time in his first six years
on TOUR.
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Rod Pampling
2006 Victory: Bay Hill Inivitational presented by MasterCard
Making his second appearance at the Kapalua tournamentHad a
career year, collecting second PGA TOUR title and earning more than
$2.6 million and earning a spot in THE TOUR Championship for the first
time in his five-year TOUR careerMade 21 cuts in 24 starts and
recorded a career-best six top-10s...One of six Aussies to win on TOUR
in 2006Had four-stroke lead heading into final round of the Bay Hill
Invitational and defeated Greg Owen by a stroke after Owen
double-bogeyed the 17th hole and bogeyed the 18th hole.
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Corey Pavin
2006 Victory: U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee
Lone top-10 of the season was his first victory in over 10
years...Earned 15th TOUR victory with wire-to-wire win at the
U.S. Bank Championship, 10 years, two months and 11 days since last
win at the 1996 Colonial National Invitational and 20 years since his
last victory in Milwaukee (Made $720,000 in 2006, $72,000 in
1986)Birdied first six holes (Nos. 1-6) in the first round en route to
a TOUR nine-hole record 26Matched the U.S. Bank Championship 72-hole
scoring record of 260 by 2005 champion Ben Crane and 2000 champion
Loren RobertsHis 36-, 54- and 72-hole totals were all TOUR lows in
2006The 72-hole was matched by Phil Mickelson at the BellSouth
ClassicHis opening 61 was the low start by a winner in 2006...Served
as assistant U.S. Ryder Cup CaptainReturns to the Mercedes-Benz
Championship for the first time in 10 yearsLast appearance was in
1997, when he finished T8 at La Costa CC Of the players in the field,
this will be his 11th appearance (tied with Vijay Singh) in the
Mercedes-Benz Championship, one behind the leader Davis Love IIIHas
finished inside top 10 in his last two appearances at the
tournamentLast 10 rounds have been at par or better but has never
played the Plantation Course.
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Carl Pettersson
2006 Victory: the Memorial Tournament
Had a career year, with $2,647,982 in earnings on the strength of
a victory and six top-10s... One of nine players to collect a win in
each of the last two seasons on TOUR (2005-06)Won the Memorial
Tournament, his second career title. After winning first PGA TOUR
event (2005 Chrysler Championship) in 90th career start, needed only
16 subsequent events to earn second career TOUR win. Was just the
fifth different international player to win at Muirfield Village Golf
Club...Making his second straight appearance in the Mercedes-Benz Championship.
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John Rollins
2006 Victory: B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort
Won for the first time in almost four years and finished in the
top 100 on the PGA TOUR money list for the fourth time in six seasons
on TOUR...Rolled in a 6-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole at the
B.C. Open presented by Turning Stone Resort to finish one shot ahead
of Bob MayThe final-round 64 was one off his career-low roundFinished
tied for second on TOUR in Total Eagles with 16 behind the 19 by
J.B. HolmesMaking his second career start at Kapalua and first in four
yearsPosted four sub-par rounds in his first trip but finished T29.
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Rory Sabbatini
2006 Victory: Nissan Open
Had best year of career in 2006, with a win at the Nissan Open,
two runner-ups and a 12th-place finish on season-ending money
listFinished one stroke ahead of Adam Scott at the Nissan OpenBecame
seventh international winner in last nine years at the tournament. Was
first winner of tournament to post over-par final round since Tom
Purtzer in 1977Two runner-ups came at Sony Open in Hawaii (T2) and
AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (2nd)Making his third start in the
season-opening tournament and first in two yearsFinished one-stroke
behind Jim Furyk in 2001, his best finish in Kapalua.
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Adam Scott
2006 Victory: THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola
Punctuated season of near-misses with a victory at THE TOUR
Championship, finishing the season No. 3 on the money list and No. 4
in the Official World Golf Ranking. Also notched a career-best 10
top-10s, including seven top-threes, and finished third in Scoring
Average (68.95)...One of six Aussies to win on TOUR in 2006Defeated
Jim Furyk by three strokes at the season-ending TOUR Championship
presented by Coca-ColaFirst Aussie and youngest player (26 years, 3
months, 21 days) to win THE TOUR Championship since Tiger Woods in
1999 (Champions Golf Club) at age 23 years, 10 months and one
day. Third-youngest winner of THE TOUR Championship behind Woods and
David Duval (1997, 25 years, 11 months and 24 days)Has collected a win
in each of the last four seasons but the 2005 victory was considered
unofficial and thus the 2006 victory begins a new streak for himHas
played very well at the Plantation Course with two top-10s in two
startsHis scoring average there is 69.13 or almost four strokes below
parJust one of his eight rounds has been above par, a 74 during the
2004 second round.
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John Senden
2006 Victory: John Deere Classic
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipHad a career year, with $1,650,674 in
earnings on the strength of a victory and three top-10s...One of six
Aussies to win on TOUR in 2006Posted rounds of 64-69-64-68--265 to
claim first TOUR victory in 139th career TOUR start at the John Deere
ClassicEntered final round with a three-stroke lead over Patrick
Sheehan and Heath Slocum, and edged J.P. Hayes by one stroke to become
the fifth Aussie to win on TOUR in 2006With $720,000 paycheck,
surpassed $1 million in season earnings for the first time in
career. Earned final British Open exemption as the highest finisher
not previously exempt at the John Deere Classic...Recorded a
hole-in-one on the par-3 13th hole at Royal Liverpool GC during third
round of the British Open (T35).
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Vijay Singh
2006 Victory: Barclays Classic
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on October 30,
2006. Finished among the top five on the PGA TOUR money list for the
ninth consecutive seasonOne of only four players to have at least one
official TOUR victory in each of the last four seasons (Tiger Woods-11
straight, Singh-5, Stuart Appleby and David Toms-4)Became first
three-time winner of Barclays Classic, defeating Adam Scott by two
strokesThe win was his 17th since turning 40, matching Sam Snead's
record for the most wins by a player over the age of 40Tied for the
TOUR lead in top-10s in 2006 with Jim Furyk (13)His 31 top-10s over
the last two seasons were seven more than his closest competitor
(Tiger Woods-24)Leads the Mercedes-Benz Championship in top-10s since
the tournament moved to Hawaii in 1999 with seven consecutiveOf the
players in the field, this will be his 11th appearance (tied with
Corey Pavin) in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, one behind the leader
Davis Love IIIHas finished inside the top-five in six of last seven
appearancesHad posted 17 consecutive sub-par rounds at the Plantation
Course from 2000 third round to 2005 third roundSince then has posted
three of his last five rounds over parIn fact, in 28 rounds at
Kapalua, only four have been above-par and three of those came in last
two years
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David Toms
2006 Victory: Sony Open in Hawaii
One of only four players to have at least one official TOUR
victory in each of the last four seasons (Tiger Woods-11 straight,
Vijay Singh-5, Stuart Appleby-4)Has collected at least one win in
eight of his last 10 seasons on TOURTied for fifth in most wins (12)
by active players under 40 with Jim Furyk behind Tiger Woods-54, Phil
Mickelson-29, Ernie Els-15 and David Duval-13 Won in Hawaii in 2006
but on the island of Oahu at the Sony Open in Hawaii Has finished
inside the top 10 in three of his last four starts at KapaluaHis 15
consecutive rounds at par or better came to an end after a 79 during
the third round of the 2006 eventLost a playoff to Sergio Garcia in
2002.
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Kirk Triplett
2006 Victory: Chrysler Classic of Tucson
Returns to the Mercedes-Benz Championship for the third time in
his 17-year careerOnly top-10 in 2006 was his victory in
TucsonFinal-round 9-under 63 brought him from six strokes behind to
defeat Jerry Kelly by one. Opened round with five straight birdies and
closed with four birdies over last five holes. The 63 was the lowest
final round posted by a winner in Tucson since Johnny Miller won with
a final-round 61 in 1975 and the comeback matched the tournament
record set by Gene Littler in 1959. The 63 also matched Tiger Woods at
the Deutsche Bank Championship for low finish by a winner on TOUR in
2006Did not play after August 2006, due to complications with his
surgically-repaired right elbow...All eight rounds in Kapalua at par
or better, including seven sub-par roundsWill not have the opportunity
to defend his Chrysler Classic of Tucson title since the event has
been displaced by the arrival of the World Golf
Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.
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Brett Wetterich
2006 Victory: EDS Byron Nelson Championship
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz Championship
Whirlwind season saw 2005 Q-School graduate earn first PGA TOUR
victory at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, compete for the United
States at the Ryder Cup and claim 10th place on the TOUR's money
listFirst player in TOUR history to go from earning his TOUR card via
Q-School to making the U.S. Ryder Cup team the following yearSix
top-10s in 2006 tripled his previous best output of two in 2005Earned
first TOUR victory at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship by one shot
over Trevor Immelman and dedicated the emotional win to his older
brother, Mark, who was killed by a drunk driver in Chicago in 2003. He
has had his brother's initials, MTW, in bold letters on his bag the
last three years as a memorial. The first-place check of $1.1 million
was nearly as much as Wetterich had made since turning pro in
1994...Added a runner-up finish at the Memorial Tournament.
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Dean Wilson
2006 Victory: The INTERNATIONAL
One of 13 first-time winners in 2006 and making first appearance
at the Mercedes-Benz ChampionshipIn fourth full season on TOUR, earned
first victory in a playoff over Tom Lehman at The International, and
later earned first TOUR Championship berth. Posted a career-best six
top-10s and finished 22nd on the TOUR's season-ending money
listCollected his first PGA TOUR win in his 118th start by defeating
Tom Lehman with a birdie on the second hole of a playoff at The
INTERNATIONALLed the tournament in birdies with 23, including the
playoff birdie. His 12 points during final round were the most by a
winner since Rich Beem recorded 19 in 2002Began final round five
points behind third-round leader Zach JohnsonBecame the first
Hawaiian-born player to win on the PGA TOUR since David Ishii, who won
the 1990 Hawaiian Open...Added his first runner-up finish (T2) at The
Valero Texas Open, his third consecutive top-10 finish at LaCantera.
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Tiger Woods
2006 Victories: Buick Invitational, Ford Championship at Doral,
British Open, Buick Open, PGA Championship, World Golf
Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, Deutsche Bank Championship,
World Golf Championships-American Express Championship
Named 2006 PGA TOUR Player of the Year for the eighth time in his
11-year careerDifficult season off the course, as he suffered the loss
of father Earl after a long battle with cancer on May 354 career
victories ranks fifth on all-time TOUR list (next on list: Arnold
Palmer-62)Won 12th major championship (2006 British Open and PGA
Championship) as a professional moving into second all-time behind
Jack Nicklaus' 18One of only four players to have at least one
official TOUR victory in each of the last four seasons (Woods-11
straight, Vijay Singh-5, Stuart Appleby and David Toms-4)Led TOUR with
eight wins and 10 top-threes, and was one of six players to collect
multiple wins in 2006Collected multiple wins in a season for the ninth
time in his first 11 years on TOUREnded season with six consecutive
TOUR wins, tied for second in TOUR history (also had a streak of six
straight from Aug. 1999 to Feb 2000) behind Byron Nelson's 11 straight
in 1945Successfully defended five titles in 2006 - Buick Invitational,
Ford Championship at Doral, British Open, World Golf
Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and World Golf
Championships-American Express ChampionshipHas won Bridgestone
Invitational and American Express Championship five times each,
becoming the 19th and 20th player in TOUR history to win the same
tournament five times (Sam Snead won eight Greater Greensboro
Opens)Led the TOUR in scoring average (68.11) but not eligible for
seventh Vardon Trophy as he did not play 60 competitive rounds. Won
Byron Nelson Trophy for low scoring average...Won his first start
(Buick Invitational) of the season for the fourth time in 11 seasons
on TOURBecame the first player in Buick Invitational history to win
the tournament four times (1999, 2003, '05, '06), the fifth different
tournament he has captured four timesHolds Mercedes-Benz Championship
record for highest winning score with a 72-hole total 16-under 276 in
2000Second behind Vijay Singh (7) in career top-10s since the
tournament moved to Hawaii in 1999 with sixHas made eight career
starts in the tournament with eight top-10sOne of four tournaments he
has played at least five times and has posted a top-10 in every start
made at the tournament (Buick Invitational-9, World Golf
Championships-Bridgestone Invitational-8, and World Golf
Championships-American Express Championship-7), including five in a
row in HawaiiHas posted 29 of 31 rounds at par or better and 22 of 24
at the Plantation CourseCarries a Scoring Average of 69.33 at the
Plantation Course or 3.67 strokes below the par 73.
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2008 Fantasy Golf Official PGA TOUR Fantasy Games.
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