The organisers of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship are delighted to confirm that defending champion, Tiger Woods, will be making his second competitive appearance in Ireland at Mount Juliet Conrad from September 30 - October 3, 2004. Woods will be going for his third American Express Championship victory in a row and his fourth overall.
Woods inclusion in the field means that nine of the top ten players in the Official World Golf Rankings will be competing at the second staging of the American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Conrad next week. World Number Four Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the tournament for personal reasons.
When speaking at the official event press conference last July as to whether he was surprised at the return visit of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship to Ireland, Tiger commented: "No, not at all, not after the way we were received the last time we were there. The fans were ecstatic, they were happy. They were so enthusiastic about us being there and playing... Being there and fishing there before the British Open, I've kind of gotten used to how Americans, and basically all players, are received when we play all around the country, preparing for The Open Championship. We were always received extremely well, and gracious. Just had a great time."
Commenting on the field for next week's event, the Executive Director of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship Peter Adams said: "Not only is it fantastic news that has Tiger Woods confirmed that he will be defending his World Golf Championships - American Express Championship title, this year's event will also showcase, at this time, ten of Europe's twelve Ryder Cup heroes. The World Golf Championships - American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Conrad also provides the ideal opportunity for Irish golf fans to welcome home the Irish Ryder Cup Trio of Clarke, Harrington and McGinley, following Europe's win in Detroit."
The European Team retained the Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills last weekend by a record 18 ½ - 9 ½ margin of victory over their US counterparts. In less than a week's time European Ryder Cup players Paul Casey, Darren Clarke, Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Miguel Angel Jiménez, Thomas Levet, Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood, and will all be at Mount Juliet Conrad to battle it out for the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship title.
Nine of the American Ryder Cup players, who all rank highly in the Official World Golf Rankings, are eligible for the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship. US team members, Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink, Jim Furyk, Jay Haas, Davis Love III, Chris DiMarco, Chris Riley, David Toms and Woods and have all now confirmed participation.
The world's top 50 players are automatically eligible to compete for a prize fund of $7 million with a record first prize fund of $1.2 million for the Champion. The prize fund has grown by $1.5 million since the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship at Mount Juliet Conrad in 2002, when World Number One Tiger Woods captured the title and a winner's cheque of $1 million.
