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NAPLES, Fla. (December 4, 2009) - An impressive field of individuals will meet as partners in Naples next week for the 21st annual The Franklin Templeton Shootout. Here are some interesting news and notes regarding this special group who will compete at Tiburón Golf Club for the ninth straight year.
First-Time Shootout Participants: Six competitors will play in the Shootout for the first time: Tim Clark, Ross Fisher, Brian Gay, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson, George McNeill. Additionally, all of last year's first-time competitors will be making their second consecutive appearance: Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Steve Stricker, Boo Weekley.
 Seven players in the field claimed PGA TOUR titles this season, including returning Shootout Champion Kenny Perry, who won twice. |
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2009 Champions: Seven players in the field won PGA TOUR tournaments during the 2009 season and four of those are multiple winners this year. This group accumulated 12 tournament victories this year. Steve Stricker won three times while Zach Johnson, Brian Gay and Kenny Perry each won two titles. Jerry Kelly, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson were winners as well.
World Rankings: Nine of the 24 players in the field are currently ranked among the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking-- Steve Stricker (3), Kenny Perry (9), Ian Poulter (14), Ross Fisher (20), Zach Johnson (23), Tim Clark (38), Justin Leonard (39), Brian Gay (41), Dustin Johnson (48).
Youth Movement: Rickie Fowler, at the age of 20, will be the youngest player in Shootout history to compete. Prior to this year, Bill Haas was 22 when he competed in 2004, Ryan Moore was 23 in 2005 and Anthony Kim was 22 in 2007.
Close Counts: Tim Clark hit his approach shots closer than any other player on the PGA TOUR in 2009. Clark's average was 30 feet, 5 inches.
Using the Driver: Dustin Johnson was the only player to lead the field in Driving Distance during the week and win the tournament when he pulled the double feat at this year's the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Johnson did the same thing when he won his first TOUR title at the 2008 Turning Stone Resort Championship.
More on Dustin: Johnson also recorded the most 400-yard drives in 2009 with five. During the season, a total of 47, 400-yard drives were recorded on the PGA TOUR.
Par-Four Champ: On par-four holes during the 2009 season no one was better than Justin Leonard. Leonard led the TOUR in playing par-4s with a 22-under-par total.
Long off the Tee: Nobody on TOUR carried the ball further off the tee than J.B. Holmes this year. He averaged 298.6 yards per carry (not total distance) in 2009.
Repeat Pairings: Two teams in this year's Franklin Templeton Shootout have been paired together prior to this year. Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker will be playing together for the second straight year. Last year, they finished tied for 8th. Justin Leonard and Scott Verplank will also work together for the second time. This twosome finished second by virtue of a playoff in 2006.
Repeat Performers: Mark Calcavecchia will be making his 16th start in the Shootout--most for any other individual in the field. Brad Faxon is second with 15. Greg Norman, not playing this week due to injury, leads with 20 starts.
Multiple Shootout Winners: Four players share the record with three wins at The Franklin Templeton Shootout, including Steve Elkington (1993, 1995, 1998), Fred Couples (1990, 1994, 1999), Brad Faxon (1994, 2000, 2001) and Scott McCarron (1997, 2000, 2001). While Elkington and McCarron are not in this year's tournament, Couples and Faxon will attempt to become the tournament's first four-time winner.
Rookie Winners: Only seven players have won The Franklin Templeton Shootout in their first attempt: Mark O'Meara (1989), Curtis Strange (1989), Fred Couples (1990), Scott McCarron (1997), Hank Kuehne (2003), Rod Pampling (2006) and Woody Austin (2007).
Gators & 'Noles: The field has a flavor of both. Florida Gators: Mark Calcavecchia, Chris DiMarco, Brian Gay, Florida State: George McNeill, Jeff Sluman.
Major Champions: This year's field contains six players who have won one of golf's four major championships. Fred Couples (Masters), Justin Leonard (British Open), Zach Johnson (Masters), Nick Price (PGA Championship (2), British Open), Mark Calcavecchia (British Open), Jeff Sluman (PGA Championship).
Presidents Cup Competitors: Five players in the field this year competed in this year's Presidents Cup--a team competition between players from the United States and players from around the world not eligible for the Ryder Cup. Playing for the victorious U.S. team, captained by Fred Couples were Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, Kenny Perry, Steve Stricker. Tim Clark was on the International Team, captained by Greg Norman.
Alphabetical List of Participating Professionals
The Teams
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