| NOTES | | | The PGA Tour shifts to California this week for the lone five-round
tournament on the schedule, the Bob Hope Classic. Bill Haas carded five
rounds in the 60s last year, including a closing eight-under 64 on the Palmer
Course at PGA West, to earn a one-stroke win. It was his first tour victory
in 141 career starts. He followed his father into the winner`s circle at this
event, making them the eighth father-son duo to win on the PGA Tour. Jay Haas
claimed the Hope in 1988. Bill Haas will look to join Johnny Miller as the
only back-to-back winners of the Hope. Twelve former winners have posted
top-10 finishes in their title defense, but that has happened just five times
in the last 33 years. Four U.S. Ryder Cuppers from last year are scheduled to
compete this week - Matt Kuchar, Bubba Watson, Jeff Overton and Stewart Cink.
The tour is coming off a 36-hole Sunday at the Sony Open in Hawaii and this
tournament had its own weather issues last year. Thursday`s action was rained
out and pushed the final round to Monday. With the professionals being joined
by amateurs, the event is spread over four courses during the first four
rounds. The final round will again be contested on the Palmer Course at PGA
West. Among the celebrities competing this week are - musician Alice Cooper,
actors Kurt Russell, Craig T. Nelson, Kevin Nealon, John O`Hurley, and former
athletes including 355-game winner Greg Maddux as well as former National
Football League and Major League Baseball star Bo Jackson. Golf Channel has
coverage of all five rounds. Coverage runs from 3-6 p.m. (et) the first three
days, while Saturday and Sunday`s coverage goes from 4-7 p.m. The tour
remains in California next week for the Farmers Insurance Open, where Ben
Crane was a one-stroke winner last year.
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