Ryder Cup flavor at Tiger Woods' World Challenge
- Thirteen players from the Ryder Cup will be featured in Tiger Woods' World Challenge
- The event is No. 28-Dec. 2 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.
- Woods is the defending champion
Thirteen players from this year's Ryder Cup will be among the 18-man field in the 14th annual World Challenge Nov. 28-Dec. 2, which is hosted by Tiger Woods and benefits his foundation.
Joining Woods at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., are Ryder Cup teammates Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson. Also in the field are European Ryder Cup standouts Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell. Rounding out the 18 are Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bo Van Pelt and Nick Watney.
Last year, Woods made birdies on the final two holes to edge Zach Johnson to win the tournament for a record fifth time (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011). Other past champions in the field are Furyk (2009) and McDowell (2010).
"It gave me a lot of confidence, there's no doubt," Woods said of his 2011 victory Wednesday in a phone conference. "One reason was winning it, yes, but also the way I did it and who I beat. To go head-to-head with Zach like that, and Zach is not the kind of guy who's going to go away, and the shot that he played over 14 on the green and putting me down. I had one down with two to go, and birdieing the last two holes gave me just a huge shot of confidence going into this year.
"It was one of the reasons why I think I was able to win early in the year, in March, is because of that."
This year's field has combined for 19 PGA Tour wins, led by Woods' three. Other multiple winners include Snedeker, Mahan, Dufner and Zach Johnson. Major winners are represented by Watson (Masters) and Simpson (U.S. Open).
"We are extremely excited about the depth and talent of our field, and are looking forward to another exciting tournament," Woods said. "We're very excited about having as many Ryder Cup players and players who have won all around the world playing in this event."
There is no cut in the 72-hole event. The winner pockets $1 million, the last-place finisher $120,000. Proceeds benefit the college-access of the Tiger Woods Foundation. Woods also will welcome Northwestern Mutual as the new presenting sponsor of the tournament.