World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has committed to contesting the Frys.com Open and the opening event on the 2015/16 PGA Tour schedule.
Event organisers have waited a long time to announce McIlroy’s appearance and they did so this wee with the four-time Major winner to tee up for a first time in his career in Napa, California and at the Silverado Resort and Spa from October 14-18.
The event is being staged the same week as the European Tour’s Portugal Masters at Villamoura.
“It’s an exciting time for all of us,” said Tournament Director, Jeff Sanchez. “He continues to impress on all levels. It’s amazing – he’s regularly driving the ball over 300 yards. It sure is impressive, the way that he plays.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy to contest for a first time the Frys.com Open.
“We look forward to getting to know him, on as well as off the golf course.”
Frys.com Open Tournament President Duke Butler received McIlroy’s verbal commitment earlier this year.
“During the (Honda Classic) tournament in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Rory told me that he watched quite a bit of last year’s tournament on Golf Channel and that Silverado looks great,” Butler said in a press release.
“It will be a privilege for Fry’s Electronics and the Napa community to host the world’s top-ranked player at Silverado.”
McIlroy had hoped to play here in 2014, but after his tremendous success in winning the Open Championship and PGA Championship, withdrew due to growing demands on his schedule.
Silverado announced in March that it will again host the Frys.com Open, a $6 million PGA Tour event. It marks the second consecutive year in which the Frys.com Open will be played on Silverado’s North Course, a par-72, 7,203-yard layout.
Silverado previously hosted 14 PGA Tour events from 1968 through 1980, the Kaiser International and the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic.
“We think that Napa and Silverado will do a tremendous job in helping us host the world’s No. 1 golfer with all the hospitality that Silverado and Napa have to offer. It’s the best in the world,” said Sanchez.
“We go into this October with great confidence that Silverado and Napa are really going to help us put on a great show for the world’s best, in what continues to be a field that continues to grow in quality as well as the tournament venue experience.”
The week-long attendance total for last year’s tournament was about 37,000. It’s a busy time on the national sports calendar, with the NFL and college football, along with postseason baseball. But the addition of McIlroy could increase attendance to 70,000, said Sanchez.
“We want the Napa community to really feel that this in their event,” said Sanchez.
Justin Rose, No. 6 in the World Golf Ranking and winner of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last month, is also expected to play the Frys.com Open, said Sanchez.
At the WGC, McIlroy had wins over Jason Dufner (5 and 4), Brandt Snedeker (2 up), Billy Horschel (20 holes), Hideki Matsuyama (6 and 5).
McIlroy won in the quarterfinals over Paul Casey (22 holes). He beat Jim Furyk in the semifinals (1 up) and beat Gary Woodland in the championship match (4 and 2).
“This is the start of a nice little run of golf for me and I wanted to come out and play well and increase my lead in the World Rankings, which I’ve done after this win, and keep it going,” McIlroy said on asapsports.com.
“It’s always important for me to get my first win stateside during the year. It’s really satisfying to get that first win here, no matter what format it is. It’s always nice to get a trophy.”
The Frys.com Open tournament has proven to be an important springboard for players in recent years.
Last year’s champion, Sang-Moon Bae, is No. 12 among FedExCup leaders. Bae, who is from South Korea, shot a final round 73 for a 15-under par 273 total to secure his second PGA Tour victory and the $1,080,000 winner’s check.
Bae was on the leaderboard each day. He was tied for the lead after the first round, shooting a 6-under-par 66. He was one shot off the lead after the second round following his 69. He took a four-stroke lead into the final round.
Last year marked the PGA Tour’s return to Napa for the first time since 1980. Some of the best players in the world were here – people like Matt Kuchar, Lee Westwood, Brandt Snedeker, Hunter Mahan and Jimmy Walker.
Last year’s tournament awarded $1 million to charity. The tournament has awarded more than $7 million to charity since its inception in 2006.
Johnny Miller, a World Golf Hall of Fame member and lead NBC-TV golf analyst, is one of Silverado’s owners. He re-designed the North Course.
* Story with thanks to Marty Jones, Napavalleynews.com
