? COURSE: Congressional Country Club (Blue), 7,569 yards, par 71.
Founded in 1924, the club quickly established itself as a gathering
place for leaders of government and industry. Founding life members
included two former U.S. presidents, in-power officeholder Warren
Harding and successor Calvin Coolidge. Congressional was where Ken
Venturi staggered through stifling heat to win the 1964 U.S. Open, the
first of three Opens contested there along with the 1976 PGA
Championship. The club also hosted the 1995 U.S. Senior Open and six
Kemper Opens, getting back onto the PGA TOUR's yearly schedule by
joining forces with Tiger Woods in 2008.
? FIELD WATCH: Tiger Woods, just three months removed from
back surgery, returns to competition alongside three other entrants from
among the top 10 of this week's world rankings. He'll be joined by No. 7
Jason Day, No. 9 Jordan Spieth and No. 10 Justin Rose. The lineup
includes 12 PGA TOUR winners thus far in 2014, including double
titleholder Patrick Reed (Humana Challenge, World Golf
Championships-Cadillac Championship). Patrick Rodgers, No. 1 in the
world amateur rankings until making his pro debut this week, will play
on a sponsor exemption.
? 72-HOLE RECORD: 267, Tiger Woods (2009), Nick Watney (2011 at Aronimink G.C.).
? 18-HOLE RECORD: 62, Anthony Kim (1st round, 2009), Hunter Mahan (4th round, 2009), Nick Watney (3rd round, 2011 at Aronimink GC).
? LAST YEAR: Bill Haas rose above a crowded leaderboard to
notch his fifth PGA TOUR victory, closing with a 5-under 66 to finish
three strokes ahead of Roberto Castro. Haas pulled away with three
straight birdies from Nos. 8-10, including a 12-footer at No. 9 when he
managed to stick his approach within 12 feet despite a splotch of mud on
his ball. No one in the pack got any closer than two shots the rest of
the day, allowing Haas to claim a win in his fourth consecutive season.
Korean pro D.H. Lee used a sizzling Sunday 64 to tie for third with
Jason Kokrak.
? STORYLINES: Woods, last seen hobbling to a closing 78 at
Trump Doral, gives his repaired back its first tournament test little
more than two weeks after taking his first full swings in rehab. He has
made just four starts this season, with a best finish of 25th before
before sitting out the Masters, THE PLAYERS and U.S. Open. Rose, the
2010 champion during the event's two-year stint at Aronimink, seeks to
join Woods as a two-time winner. He and Peter Hanson are the only
prominent European Tour players who haven't headed back across the
Atlantic to prepare for the British Open ... Erik Compton, tied for
second behind Martin Kaymer at the U.S. Open, is in the field.
? SHORT CHIPS: Top 4, not otherwise exempt, inside the top 12
and ties will earn spots in the Open Championship this week ... The
tournament again features the "We Salute Our Heroes" tribute wall, where
fans can leave personal messages of thanks for those who serve in the
nation's military.
Last week's winner DL (Twice in a row)! Congrats!
Updated Standings
1. Bill - 7174
2. dfs - 7043
3. 2952 - 6630
4. NMT - 5912
5. Sea - 5766
6. Ocala - 5658
7. Bobcat - 5529
8. NiA - 5132
9. DL - 5046
10. Lizard - 4421
11. 67810 - 4306
12. Ed - 4122
13. pdubb - 2895
14.g2f - 2713
Good Luck!
Field
