Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson Commit to Humana Challenge

Two-time British Open champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner of the golf tournament, will play in the Humana Challenge this month, organizers announced today.

Norman last played in the tournament previously known as the Bob Hope Classic in 1986. He previously played in the Coachella Valley in the 2001 Skins Game, in which he shut out Tiger Woods and others to take home the event's $1 million purse, according to Humana organizers. 

"We're thrilled to be able to add Greg Norman to our tournament field,'' Humana Challenge Tournament Chairman Larry Thiel said. "Greg continues to be one of the great names in golf. Because he plays a limited schedule, we know golf fans in Southern California and our national and international TV audiences will enjoy having the rare opportunity to see him compete.''

Mickelson, a Southern California resident, is set to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in May.

“I’m honored to join President Clinton and the Clinton Foundation for the Humana Challenge,” Mickelson said. “I admire President Clinton and the charitable work of his Foundation, which helps millions of people around the world, and I applaud him for joining Humana in using the tournament to help promote health and wellness. Some of my best seasons have come after starting at this event and I’m really excited about coming back again.”

The four-round, 72-hole Humana Challenge will be held Jan. 16-22 at The Club at PGA West's Palmer and Nicklaus private courses at La Quinta and the La Quinta Country Club.

The tournament will feature a health conference, with a speech by former President Bill Clinton, on Jan. 17. The Bob Hope Legacy Pro-Am is set for Jan. 16 and the Couples Challenge Pro-Am on Jan. 18, both at the Palmer private course at PGA West. The Clinton Foundation is partnering with the tournament this year.

"After a conversation with President Clinton, and also with my good friend Scott McCarron's encouragement, I'm all too happy to support President Clinton's commitment to the Humana Challenge and his foundation," Norman said. "I'm confident with the recent changes to the tournament's sponsorship and format, and with the support President Clinton will give, this event, which has been one of the most iconic tournaments for decades, will once again establish itself as one of `the' tournaments to play in.''

The tournament has a field of 144 PGA Tour professionals and 144 amateurs, including celebrities. It was renamed the Humana Challenge in June to reflect the tournament's new eight-year partnership with Humana, a Kentucky-based health insurance provider. The winner takes home the Bob Hope Trophy.

Other early commitments to the Humana Challenge include defending champion Jhonattan Vegas, 2011 FedExCup champion and 2010 event champion Bill Haas, 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms and 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.

-City News Service