Calling it a “dream come true for myself” and the realization of the dream of his father, golf superstar Tiger Woods announced Wednesday the creation of the AT&T National, an annual tournament Woods will host in Washington that will benefit his Tiger Woods Foundation.
Joined Wednesday at the National Press Club by PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and AT&T CEO Ed Whitacre, Woods said he planned to play in the inaugural event, July 5-8, “hopefully at Congressional [Country Club],” Woods said with a smile.
Members of the Bethesda club have yet to vote on hosting the tournament.
According to Finchem, a two-year agreement had been reached between the tour and Congressional’s board of directors, pending approval of the members.
Woods’ presence at this year’s event is not guaranteed. His wife, Elin Nordegren, is expecting the couple’s first child in July.
Wearing a gray suit and violet shirt and tie, Woods appeared as cool in a room full of reporters and TV cameramen as he does over a critical 10-foot putt.
“It was basically a no-brainer to come here,” Woods. “We thought [Washington] was the best spot for us to get awareness of our foundation.”
Woods announced that all active duty military personnel will be admitted to the tournament free. Woods’ father — who died last year of prostate cancer — was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army.
“I just wish my father would be here to see it,” said Woods.
With Woods’ backing, the tournament will likely become one of the PGA Tour’s elite events, drawing a strong invitational field and starting with a purse of $6 million.
Other events hosted by golf legends Arnold Palmer (Bay Hill) and Jack Nicklaus (Memorial) traditionally draw strong fields and are considered among the tour’s strongest second-tier tournaments, after the majors.
“Our intention is to stay here and have this be our home event,” said Woods. “I’m looking forward to coming here, playing, and hosting.”
What if …
» If Congressional Country Club members do not agree to host, Finchem said a “contingency” was in place to play the tournament at another local venue.
» The fallback could be Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, which the PGA Tour uses for the President’s Cup every four years.
» Finchem also said long-promised improvements to Avenel would “finally” begin soon and the club would be ready to host a tour event in two or three years.
