Woods to play in Phuket

Woods to play in Phuket

JAKARTA (JP): Golfing superstar Tiger Woods of the United
States is to join a world-class field for the 1998 Johnnie Walker
Classic, scheduled to be held at the spectacular Blue Canyon
Country Club in Phuket, Thailand, from Jan. 20 to Jan. 25.

A spokeswoman said Tuesday that the Johnnie Walker Classic had
a reputation for consistently attracting the best players in the
world.

"Woods will certainly give his best at the tournament," the
spokeswoman said.

The Johnnie Walker Classic is scheduled to feature 156 players
from all over the world. Those who have confirmed their
participation in the five-day tournament are South African Ernie
Els, American Fred Couples and Welshman Ian Woosnam, as well as
Woods.

Els is the current U.S.Open champion and defending Johnnie
Walker Classic champion, Couples won the tournament in 1995 and
Woosnam won it in 1996.

The players will vie for prize money of 800,000 (Rp 4.5
billion).

Woods is not a newcomer to the Blue Canyon Country Club. He
played there as an amateur when he competed in the 1994 Johnnie
Walker Classic. He finished 34th.

Born to a Thai mother and American father, Woods has a special
place in the hearts of the Thai people and has given a huge boost
to Asian golf because of his background and sensational play.

Woods even demonstrated his skills on American television at
the age of five. He became the first player to win three
successive U.S. Amateur Championships.

Woods turned professional at the end of August 1996. He
started 1997 in dramatic fashion when he became the youngest
player in history to win the U.S. Masters. He won by a record 12
shots, the largest victory margin in a major championships this
century.

Woods' 1997 victories include the Mercedes Championships, Asia
Honda Classic, GTE Byron Nelson Classic and Motorola Western
Open. He was also a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team. (lnt)