| Details |
| When |
Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 19-22 |
| Where |
Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock, Colo. |
| Purse |
$2.6 million (Winner: $468,000) |
| Defending champion |
Vijay Singh |
| Par |
36-36--72 |
| Yardage |
7,559 |
| Television |
USA: Thursday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. ET; CBS: Saturday, 4-6 p.m. ET; Sunday, 3-6 p.m. ET |
| Tournament record |
48 (Phil Mickelson, 1997) |
| |
Hole by hole |
| |
Hole |
Par |
Yards |
| |
1 |
5 |
644 |
| |
2 |
4 |
408 |
| |
3 |
4 |
462 |
| |
4 |
3 |
205 |
| |
5 |
4 |
477 |
| |
6 |
4 |
417 |
| |
7 |
3 |
185 |
| |
8 |
5 |
535 |
| |
9 |
4 |
458 |
| |
Out |
36 |
3791 |
| |
10 |
4 |
485 |
| |
11 |
3 |
197 |
| |
12 |
4 |
440 |
| |
13 |
4 |
439 |
| |
14 |
5 |
623 |
| |
15 |
4 |
403 |
| |
16 |
3 |
209 |
| |
17 |
5 |
492 |
| |
18 |
4 |
480 |
| |
In |
36 |
3768 |
| |
Total |
72 |
7559 |
| |
Key holes:
All of the par-5s are key in the Stableford system, with eagles worth five points and birdies worth two. To walk away with pars and no points is a huge mistake. On the back nine, No. 14 is a 623-yard monster with water cutting through the fairway and a sharp dogleg to the elevated green. No. 17 is reachable in two by everybody at just 492 yards in the thin Colorado air. The approach is a difficult angle, however, and the back to front slope of the green makes for some tricky putts. |
With the final major of the year now in the history books, it's time to get back to the grind of regular tour stops.
But not so fast.
This week's Sprint International is a special stop for two reasons: the scoring system and the location.
Played in the high elevations of Castle Pines Golf Course, the thin air will make the big hitters huge this week. Players will hit the ball an estimated 10 percent to 15 percent farther this week, which means 300 yards drives will be average this week.
Much was made of the 7,401 yards last week at Medinah Country Club, but Castle Pines will play 7,559 yards this week -- yet it will seem shorter to the players.
The thin air and hilly course will have an impact on players hiking the course for four days of play and practice rounds.
The International also uses the Stableford scoring system. The Senior Tour will be adding a Stableford event next year, but for now the International is the only time players tee it up in such a format.
The Stableford awards two points for a birdie, five for an eagle and eight for a double-eagle. Players lose one point for a bogey and three for a double-bogey. Such a system forces players to take chances and go for the points.
Why? At a normal tour stop, birdie-bogey is the same as two pars. Here, birdie-bogey is worth one point. There's really no point playing it safe.
The International has drawn an impressive field, with most of the top players making the stop. In addition to American stars like Tiger Woods, David Duval and Phil Mickelson, a strong international contingent is on hand from regular tour players like Ernie Els and Nick Price to European stars like Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke and Sergio Garcia.
One reason for the strong field is that it is the final tuneup for next week's NEC Invitational, the second World Golf Championships event of the year. Only members of both Ryder Cup teams are eligible for the former World Series of Golf, while the rest of the PGA Tour will play the new Reno-Tahoe Open.
| |
Past champions |
| |
The tournament began in 1986 at Castle Pines. Here are the past winners (x-won in playoff; y-rain shortened): |
| |
Year |
Champion |
| |
1998 |
Vijay Singh |
| |
1997 |
Phil Mickelson |
| |
1996 |
x-Clarence Rose |
| |
1995 |
Lee Janzen |
| |
1994 |
x-Steve Lowery |
| |
1993 |
Phil Mickelson |
| |
1992 |
Brad Faxon |
| |
1991 |
Jose Maria Olazabal |
| |
1990 |
Davis Love III |
| |
1989 |
Greg Norman |
| |
1988 |
Joey Sindelar |
| |
1987 |
John Cooke |
| |
1986 |
Ken Green |
Stuart Appleby: Appleby is someone who will be looking to get some anger out after a poor showing at the PGA. He is a long hitter, a must to win this event, and a streaky player. The birdies come in bunches for Appleby.
Stewart Cink: The pressure of a major is off his shoulders, but Cink should continue his stellar play from the PGA. Cink finished third last week and showed an all-around game that's getting better as the year progresses.
David Duval: Nobody makes more birdies on the PGA Tour than Duval. That's what the Stableford scoring system is all about. He is also among the longest hitters and best putters in the game, which adds up to lots of points in this event.
Steve Elkington: Elkington should be champing at the bit after failing to play in the PGA. He withdrew an hour before the first round after his caddie went to the hospital with chest pains. Another birdie machine when the putter is hot.
Sergio Garcia: The new darling of the golf world. Can he stay on his high from his second-place finish at the PGA? Given the thin air of Colorado, it would be better if he doesn't sprint and leap up any fairways at Castle Pines.
Hank Kuehne: The U.S. Amateur champion is making his professional debut at this event. Fans and fellow players will be amazed at his length in the thin air. But can he putt and hang with the big boys. He didn't show it in the U.S. Open.
Phil Mickelson: Mickelson has been fabulous in this event, winning it in 1993 and 1997 and finishing in a tie for second last year. Mickelson needs a win to keep up his streak of at least one victory per season for six straight years.
Greg Norman: The Shark in a regular PGA Tour stop? Fans don't see much of Norman other than the majors, so this should be a treat. He won't get as much attention in Colorado, and that should be good for his game.
Steve Pate: Many eyes will be on Pate this week to see just why Ben Crenshaw tabbed him for the Ryder Cup team. They'll find a very steady player who can hit every club in the bag.
Nick Price: His Sunday charge at the PGA showed his putter still works, and he can win anywhere when that is the case. The relaxed atmosphere of this event plays into Price's relaxed style of play. His lack of distance could work against him, however.
Vijay Singh: The defending champion of this event, Singh is coming off a disappointing defense of his PGA crown. If he keeps it straight like he did last year, Singh will make tons of birdies and eagles on this course.
Tiger Woods: A 644-yard hole to open the tournament? No problem for Woods, who has been nothing short of spectacular this summer. He has four wins, including last week's PGA, and was fourth in this event last year.
