The INTERNATIONAL

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. -- It would take some kind of natural disaster to prevent David Duval from playing in The INTERNATIONAL. Barring an earthquake or flood, the 32-year-old Duval will be teeing it up at Castle Pines Golf Club in his new hometown.

Not even a back injury, vertigo or a seven-month sabbatical has kept him away over the past decade.

This will be Duval's 10th INTERNATIONAL. Even when injured in 2000, the former No. 1-ranked player in the world tried to compete. But in the second round his back pain was overwhelming and Duval withdrew.

The 2001 British Open champion is using this year's Colorado event to sharpen his game on the long road back.

Duval made a gallant effort to come back from an injury-related, seven-month layoff in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock. Even though he missed the cut, Duval drew a warm reception from fans on Long Island, many of whom shouted, "Welcome back, David."

Executive Director Larry O. Thiel echoed that same sentiment.

"We're rooting for David. This is an especially important step in his comeback, playing before friends and family here in his own hometown. We wish him the best of luck and we are hoping he will return to the form that has made him a great champion and the former No. 1 player in the world," he said.

As a Denver resident, this year Duval gets to sleep in his own bed and brings his own personal rooting gallery, including his new wife. Duval got married March 6 to Susie Persichitte, whom he met last year in Denver. He now is a husband and father of three children.

The INTERNATIONAL has been a good venue for him.

Twice, Duval has nearly won at Castle Pines. In 1999, David Toms faltered briefly and left the door ajar for Duval. Hoping to make birdie for the lead at No. 18, Duval made a poor approach shot and couldn't convert, finishing three points shy of Toms' winning 47.

As a youngster, Duval came to the 15th hole with the lead on Sunday, but knocked his second shot in the water and wound up with only two points for the final round for a total of 27 points, which was seven shy of winner Lee Janzen and good enough for fifth place and $60,000.

This will be only his second appearance since the U.S. Open. He entered the British Open at Troon, but withdrew after the Tuesday practice round, again, because of his bad back.

Prior to Shinnecock, Duval's last event was in Las Vegas in October 2003.

Also added to the field today were past INTERNATIONAL champions David Toms, Joey Sindelar, Greg Norman, Jose Maria Olazabal, Steve Lowery, Lee Janzen, Ken Green, Brad Faxon and John Cook. Stephen Leaney, Steve Elkington, Carlos Franco and Mark Hensby have also committed.

To purchase tickets to The INTERNATIONAL, call 888-755-1986, or visit www.golfintl.com.

For any questions about this release, contact National Media Diretor Buddy Martin at buddyshow@aol.com. Presenting Sponsors of The INTERNATIONAL are CIBER, First Data, Great-West Healthcare and StorageTek and ADT Security Services. Contributing Sponsors are Qwest and Coors.