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NAPLES, Fla. -- Ian Poulter withdrew from The Franklin Templeton Shootout and will be replaced by Jason Gore, winner of the 84 Lumber Classic two
weeks ago. Gore will join 23 other players as the Shootout returns to
Naples for the fifth consecutive year November 9-13.
 | | Gore joins Tim Herron and Fredrik Jacobson as first-time
participants in this year's Shootout. |
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Gore achieved global recognition during his performance at the U.S. Open this year when he shared the 36-hole lead and trailed by only three heading into the final round at Pinehurst.
He returned to the Nationwide Tour two weeks later and recorded a top-10
finish and then reeled off three straight victories -- becoming the first
player in Nationwide Tour history to win three straight starts and the
seventh player to receive a three-victory promotion to the PGA Tour.
A month later, he won the 84 Lumber Classic on that Tour and earned a
two-year exemption. He joins Tim Herron and Fredrik Jacobson as first-time
participants in this year's Shootout.
| Franklin Templeton Shootout | | Field as of Sept. 27, 2005 | | Paul Azinger |
| Olin Browne |
| Mark Calcavecchia |
| Stewart Cink |
| Fred Couples |
| John Daly |
| Steve Elkington |
| Fred Funk |
| Jason Gore |
| Jay Haas |
| Tim Herron |
| Scott Hoch |
| Peter Jacobsen |
| Fredrik Jacobson |
| Hank Kuehne |
| Scott McCarron |
| Greg Norman |
| Mark O'Meara |
| Kenny Perry |
| Jesper Parnevik |
| Nick Price |
| Loren Roberts |
| Adam Scott |
| Jeff Sluman |
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"Jason emerged out of nowhere and gave the golf world a welcome breath of
fresh air," tournament host Greg Norman said. "His personality and pure
enjoyment of the game are just tremendous. He is a person that represents
the true spirit of the Shootout and will be a welcome addition to this
elite, 24-person field."
Other 2005 winners in the field include, Olin Browne, who captured the
Deutsche Bank Championship Labor Day weekend for his third Tour victory and
Mark Calcavecchia, who won the following week at the Bell Canadian Open.
Kenny Perry is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this season while Fred
Funk is the reigning Players Champion. Adam Scott has won twice this year
on two tours with a victory at the Nissan Open and another at the Singapore
Open two weeks ago.
Loren Roberts has enjoyed a successful summer on the Champions Tour. He
became eligible June 24 and a month later won the Jeld-Wen Tradition to
claim his first major championship. Peter Jacobsen earned his second major
on the Champions Tour with his victory at the Ford Senior Players
Championship.
From last week's Presidents Cup, six participants will be coming to Naples
-- Stewart Cink, Fred Couples, Funk, Perry, Scott and assistant captain
Jeff Sluman. Scott had the best overall record out of this group with a
3-1-1 mark. Fred Couples also enjoyed a key victory over Vijay Singh that
aided in the United States' victory over Scott and The International squad.
Tickets for the $2.6 million event are currently on sale and orders can be placed three ways: by calling 888-66-SHARK, visiting Alf's Golf Shop in Naples or going to ShopAtShark.com.
A Weekly Pass, which includes five individual daily tickets for Wednesday-Sunday action, is available for $60. You can purchase a daily grounds ticket in advance for $15 on Wednesday or Thursday and $20 for Friday through Sunday. A limited number of reserved seats on Tiburón's 18th green are available for $50 per day. Children 12 and under will be admitted free with a ticketed adult.
Also, for $100, patrons can enjoy A Taste of WCI. This incredible offer includes one Weekly Grounds Ticket and allows you to play 10 of the finest courses in South Florida for cart fee only. It also makes you eligible for valuable discounts on Greg Norman Collection merchandise, reduced rates at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, world-class instruction at the Rick Smith Golf Academy and frequent player rewards.
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