Merrill Lynch Shootout host Greg Norman announced the pairings for the 20th edition of his tournament set to play at the Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz Carlton in Naples December 10th to 14th.
Greg Norman & Camilo Villegas – Norman, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, will match up well with one of the best young players in the game. The twosome will probably be doing some homework as they prepare to represent the International Team in next year’s Presidents Cup competition, where Norman is the captain. Villegas, won back-to-back titles during the FedEx Cup playoffs, including THE TOUR Championship, which vaulted him up the International points list to the No.2 spot.
Stewart Cink & Fred Couples – This twosome represented the U.S. on several Presidents Cup teams at the same time and will perhaps do so again next year. Couples will serve as captain and Cink, who was victorious at this year’s Travelers Championship, is a regular among the top 20 in the world rankings.
J.B. Holmes & Boo Weekley – When you are not watching Holmes launch drives beyond comprehension you can be entertained by the impeccable ball striking and down-home humor of Weekley. As evidenced by their success at the Ryder Cup and two individual titles during the 2008 season, this team has incredible talent and could be in contention coming down the stretch Sunday.
Paul Azinger & Rocco Mediate – Both enjoyed moments during the 2008 season that will long be remembered as incredible performances in golf lore. Because of their accomplishments they probably will be smiling all week regardless of the competition’s outcome. Azinger was captain of the victorious United States Ryder Cup and Mediate lived a dream as he battled Tiger Woods for the U.S. Open title.
Graeme McDowell & Ian Poulter – The always colorfully dressed Poulter was runner-up at the British Open earlier this year and had the best record among the Europeans in the Ryder Cup in September. He is joined by fellow Ryder Cup teammate McDowell, who won twice on the European Tour and finished 5th on the Order of Merit this year. This rookie team both ranked in the top 35 in the world could be tough to handle.
Scott Hoch & Kenny Perry – Have combined for five titles this year alone and 23 throughout the years. Hoch won twice on the Champions Tour and Perry three times on the PGA TOUR. Perry was also instrumental in front of his home crowd to help the U.S. to victory at the Ryder Cup in Louisville.
Chris DiMarco & Fred Funk – Here we have a Florida Gator and a Maryland Terrapin, who seem to never find the water. This team represents two of the most consistent ball-strikers in golf. While DiMarco has battled through injury this year, Funk split time on both Tours this year. He won twice on the Champions Tour and finished second in the season-long points race by 12 points to Jay Haas.
Jerry Kelly & Steve Stricker – This snowbird team could cause loads of trouble for the field. Both live in Madison, Wisconsin and are among the toughest competitors on TOUR. Plus, Kelly knows how to win at Tiburón, having done so with Rod Pampling only two years ago.
Brad Faxon & Scott McCarron – This is one of the more dominant teams at the Merrill Lynch Shootout in the past eight years. They won back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001 and finished second in 2003. This year will mark the fifth time this duo has teamed up at the Shootout. As individuals, both McCarron and Faxon are tied with Couples and Steve Elkington for the most Shootout victories with three.
Zach Johnson & Scott Verplank – Johnson’s 2007 Masters victory ignited more great performances from this sturdy competitor. He won in Atlanta and again a few weeks ago. The two compliment each other well as Verplank, a five-time winner continues another consistent year. Note: these two won the 2006 Wendy’s 3 Tour Challenge.
Nick Price & Jeff Sluman – This partnership of major champions is worth watching. While both spend more of their time on the Champions Tour these days, they combine for a solid threat. Hall of Fame member Price has over 40 victories worldwide while Sluman has been one of the game’s most consistent competitors.
The Merrill Lynch Shootout will once again feature a modified alternate shot format during the first round, a better ball Saturday and a final-round scramble. Golf Channel will televise Friday’s coverage and NBC will broadcast the weekend activities.
Entering its 20th year, the Merrill Lynch Shootout was created by Norman to raise awareness and charitable offerings for the CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Tickets for Southwest Florida’s only PGA TOUR sanctioned event are on sale now. Orders can be placed three ways – calling 888-66-SHARK, visiting Alf’s Golf Shop in Naples or at http://www.mlsshootout.com(source/: NBC2 News, 11-2008)
