Sports

Humana Challenge Defending Champ Brian Gay, Hall of Famer Greg Norman at 2014 Tournament

Humana Challenge defending champion Brian Gay and World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Greg Norman will compete at the 2014 tournament in January, organizers said Wednesday in La Quinta.

The following are remarks from Humana Challenge executive director and CEO Bob Marra during a Dec. 11 media day event at PGA West:

"(F)irst and foremost we're thrilled to have Brian Gay's commitment to return to the Humana Challenge as our defending champion," Marra said.

"So it's too early to announce the full field, but we have got some highlights," Marra said.

"I'm pleased to announce that at the top of the list is World Golf Hall of Famer and long time world No. 1 player, Greg Norman," Marra said. "He's an icon in the game and it will be great to have the shark back in the desert with us. He was here our first year of the Humana Challenge and it made a huge impact on this golf tournament and he's coming back.

"Other early commitments from very highly ranked players include major Championship winner Zach Johnson, who had quite a victory over Tiger Woods last week," Marra said. "And that was pretty exciting. So we have got Zach coming back to the tournament too. He loves it here.

"Keegan Bradley will be back with us and playing with us," Marra said. "He played here in his rookie year in 2011 did something like won the PGA Championship in between that and now. He's coming back to the desert. So we welcome him. He had a great performance here and was in a position to possibly win it in 2011.

"Brandt Snedeker who played quite well in our tournament last year and in past years and then went on to have a fantastic 2013 season will be joining us again this year," Marra said.

"Along with Bill Haas, who is one of our past champions and between the two of them they have won the FedExCup in 2011 and 2012 consecutively," Marra said. "And they both have won high profile tournaments last year.

"As we acknowledged last week and you probably heard, southern California's own Ricky Fowler will be coming back to join us this year," Marra said.

"Also from the Cobra Puma team we have Jonas Blixt who had a great year. He won the Greenbrier classic and he was in the mix at the PGA Championship this past year, well into Sunday's round. And he's in the Top‑50 of the world golf rankings.

"Other major Championship winners who have made early commitments to the field include Stewart Cink, Retief Goosen, who is, who hasn't been with us for awhile," Marra said. "Trevor Immelman, former Masters champion.  Justin Leonard and Mike Weir. So Mike Weir I think is quite appealing as always to the Canadians here in the desert."

Humana, a Kentucky-based health insurance provider, co-sponsors the tournament with the Clinton Foundation to raise money for Coachella Valley charities, primarily Eisenhower Medical Center.

The tournament - which was called the Bob Hope Classic from 1965 to
2011 - is held at PGA West's Palmer and Nicklaus courses and La Quinta Country Club.

For info and tickets go to www.humanachallenge.com or call (760)
346-8184.


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