Daly in, Els out for LVI

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 1997 | 9:38 a.m.

The Las Vegas Invitational gained one star player and lost another as the long-hitting John Daly committed to play in this month's PGA Tour event while reigning U.S. Open champion Ernie Els withdrew from the field.

"We didn't expect John to commit but it's great to have him here and it's great to see him back," said LVI tournament manager Charlie Baron.

Daly, who won the 1995 British Open for his second major victory on tour, missed two months this season while undergoing alcohol rehabilitation for the second time in three years.

Daly has played in 17 PGA Tour events in 1997 but has made the cut in only nine tournaments. His earnings stand at $106,762 and his best finish was a seventh-place showing in his first outing of the year at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in January. It is his only top-10 finish of the season.

Since rejoining the tour in June, Daly's best finish has been a 21st-place tie at the Canon Greater Hartford Open in July.

Baron said he was given no reason by the PGA Tour for Els' withdrawal. Also withdrawing Tuesday were tour regulars Glen Day and Brandel Chamblee.

Joining Daly Tuesday in committing to play in this year's LVI was 1988 Masters champion Sandy Lyle.

With the addition of Daly to the 144-player field, the LVI will have two of the biggest draws in professional golf. Reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods announced last month that he would return to Las Vegas to defend his title in the $1.8 million LVI. Woods earned his first PGA Tour victory in Las Vegas last fall.

The Las Vegas Invitational will be played at three courses -- the TPC at Summerlin, the Desert Inn Golf Club and the Las Vegas Country Club -- Oct. 22-26.