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NAPLES, Fla. -- Nick Faldo withdrew from The Franklin Templeton Shootout Monday due to concern regarding a back injury. Matt Kuchar will replace Faldo and join Fred Funk as competition begins this Friday at Tiburón Golf Club.
"We certainly are going to miss Nick and wish him a speedy recovery," said tournament director Taylor Ives. "We were looking forward to Nick joining us for the first time. However, we welcome back Matt to the field. Given last year's finish, Matt is excited to return to Naples."
Kuchar will be playing in his second Franklin Templeton Shootout. Last year he and David Gossett finished tied for second and were paired with eventual champions Rocco Mediate and Lee Janzen.
The 2002 Honda Classic champion will cap off his honeymoon in Naples. Kuchar and his bride, Sybi, are returning from New Zealand.
"This is actually a great way to end our honeymoon," Kuchar said. "We officially started dating last year when she came to Naples with me for The Franklin Templeton Shootout."
The PGA Tour sanctioned event will again provide world-class golf to the Naples area by bringing together 24 of the greatest names in golf competing as two-man teams. Tickets may be purchased by calling The Franklin Templeton Shootout
office at (888) 66-SHARK (74275).
Advanced prices will be honored through the close of business Tuesday. Starting Wednesday, tickets will also be available at the gate. The 2003 field consists of 12, two-man teams based on the following criteria: defending champions, top-three committing players from the 2003 PGA Tour money list, top-10 committing players from the career money list and nine special exemptions.
This year's event will again feature an alternate-shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. USA Network will televise Friday's coverage and CBS will handle broadcasting duties over the weekend.
Thanks to the support and loyalty of Merrill Lynch and other corporate sponsors, event volunteers and fans, The Franklin Templeton Shootout has
contributed millions to children's charities. The 15th annual event again will
donate a significant portion of the proceeds to the National Childhood Cancer
Foundation to assist its battle against this terrible disease.
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