PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem hinted Tuesday that the AT&T National could move to another market in 2009 when Congressional Country Club is scheduled to host the U.S. Amateur Championship.
“I wouldn’t rule it out. I certainly wouldn’t rule it out,” said Finchem. “But I do think the [Tiger Woods] Foundation and we agree that Washington is where we want it to be.”
Congressional has agreed to host the tournament next year, but there is much uncertainty after that. The club will host the U.S. Open in 2011. Robert Trent Jones in Gainesville, Va., and the Tournament Players Club at Avenel are other local options.
“If moving to another market for a year is part of the best thing for all factors, you know, possibly,” said Finchem. “You have to recognize that the Amateur is going to be here and the Open is going to be here. That puts a lot of pressure – [a move] is possible.”
Finchem said there were several factors that influenced the decision to keep a tour stop in Washington. After the demise of the International in February, Finchem said that three site options developed within 10 days – Washington, Portland, Ore., and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
“We quickly prioritized Washington because, A, we had a huge negative outpouring when we left,” said Finchem of the departure of the Booz Allen Classic. “People here really wanted PGA Tour golf. Thatwas clear.”
Finchem also said that Washington’s market size, pressure from some members of Congress, and the Tiger Woods Foundation’s preference for D.C., were factors.
Finchem said when he first suggested to Woods the possibility of him hosting a tournament five years ago, Woods’ answer was: “Maybe, but not now.” Two years ago, Finchem said he was contacted by the foundation, indicating that Woods was interested when the opportunity arose.
First on, first in
With a 6:15 a.m. starting time, AT&T National host Woods and his former Stanford teammate, Notah Begay III, were the first players on the course Tuesday at Congressional. Woods will follow the same script today as he tees off first, at 6:30 a.m., for the Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am. Woods will play with AT&T executives.
Other pro-am tee times include Adam Scott (6:30), Phil Mickelson (7), Jim Furyk (7:30), Camilo Villegas (8), Vijay Siingh (8:30), Fred Funk (11:40), Charles Howell III (12:50), and Aaron Baddeley (1:20).
Thursday tee times
On most PGA Tour stops, Woods receives Thursday afternoon tee times to milk Friday afternoon television viewership. But the AT&T National isn’t another PGA stop for Woods. As host of the event, he’ll tee off Thursday at 1:15 p.m., then Friday at 8:25 a.m.
Getting a prime-time slot are Mickelson and Adam Scott, who play in the same threesome. They tee of Thursday at 7:47 a.m. and Friday at 12:37 p.m.
AT&T NATIONAL
When » Thursday-Sunday.
Where » Congressional Country Club, Bethesda.
Purse » $6 million; $1.08 million to winner.
Tickets » $20 per day Tuesday-Friday; $25 Saturday-Sunday. $65 for weekly gallery pass. Active duty military personnel and children 12-and-under will be admitted free. Call 1-800-594-TIXX.
Parking » No public parking on site. Shuttle bus service will be available at several nearby lots in the area including Montgomery County Fairgrounds (Gaithersburg), Booz Allen Headquarters (McLean), Sam Eig Highway (Germantown), Fernwood Road (Bethesda).
