Tour News (posted 12th September 1998)

Woods to play in Million Dollar Challenge

Reuters

Johannesburg, South Africa  - Tiger Woods, golf's world number one, will make his first appearance in South Africa at this year's Million Dollar Challenge at Sun City, organisers said on Saturday.

The 12-man line-up for the invitational tournament at the Gary Player Country Club from 3rd - 6th December was announced at a news conference on Saturday.

Woods's presence makes this probably the strongest Million Dollar field since the tournament's inception in 1981 and sets up a possible head-to-head with South African Ernie Els.

"It has been a long process getting Woods's confirmation and we finally did so at about 6.15 on Friday night," Alastair Roper, Sun International's group sports and promotions manager said.

"Woods's colleagues who have played in the Million Dollar, like Mark O'Meara, have been encouraging him to come, and we are delighted to finally have him here.

"This really is one of our strongest fields ever. If I'm correct, we have eight golfers in the top 10 on the world rankings and three in the top 15."

Zimbabwe's Nick Price will be back to defend his title, while both David Duval and Lee Westwood will make their Million Dollar debuts.

Stalwarts such as Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam were not invited back after mediocre performances last year.

Million Dollar field:

Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, David Duval, Jim Furyk, Mark O'Meara, Justin Leonard, Davis Love III, Jesper Parnevik.