LVI attracts strong field of contenders

Monday, Oct. 20, 1997 | 4:10 a.m.

Led by Tiger Woods, the PGA Tour's leading money winner this season, the Las Vegas Invitational has attracted one of its strongest fields in recent years for its 15th annual event.

Woods heads a 144-player field that includes eight of the top 20 players off the PGA Tour money list and 23 of the top 40 in earnings in 1997. In addition, six members of the 1997 United States Ryder Cup team will be in Las Vegas when the $1.8 million LVI begins on Wednesday.

Woods will be joined in the LVI by fellow Ryder Cup members Jim Furyk, Lee Janzen, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson, as well as team captain Tom Kite. Love is third on the PGA earnings list with $1,348,523 and is one of four millionaires in the field for this week's tournament.

Each of the past seven and nine of the 14 LVI champions will be playing this week, each hoping to become the first two-time winner in the event.

The Las Vegas Invitational runs Wednesday through Sunday at the Tournament Players Club at Summerlin, the Desert Inn Golf Club and the Las Vegas Country Club. Saturday's and Sunday's rounds will be played exclusively at the TPC.

Back in Las Vegas

This will be the 15th year the PGA Tour has visited Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Invitational. This also will be the 44th of 45 official events on the PGA Tour in 1997. Next week's Tour Championship marks the end of the official season and top 30 on the money list after the LVI are invited to Houston's Champions Golf Club. In 1998, the LVI is scheduled for Oct. 14-18, two weeks prior to the Tour Championship.

Tiger's win

When Tiger Woods captured the 1996 LVI, he became the first player to receive a sponsor's exemption and win the tournament since Phil Mickelson captured the 1991 Northern Telecom Open. Las Vegas native Robert Gamez also received a sponsor's exemption and then won the 1990 Northern Telecom Open.

No LVI repeat

When Woods won the Las Vegas Invitational last year, he became the 14th different winner of the LVI. This event has not had a two-time winner.

A good start

Each of the 14 champions of the LVI has enjoyed more than just one week of success in Las Vegas. In fact, the 14 winners have a combined 120 PGA Tour victories, including nine major championship titles.

Furyk and Woods

The last two LVI champions -- Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods -- can claim the LVI as their first PGA Tour victory. When Furyk won in 1995, it marked the first time in the tournament's history that the champion had won his first PGA Tour title in Las Vegas.

Fehr's record

Rick Fehr tied an all-time PGA Tour record during the opening 36 holes of the 1996 LVI. Fehr opened with a 64 at the Las Vegas Hilton and then added a 62 at the TPC at Summerlin for a 17-under-par 126 total, tying the low first 36-hole record.

Beck's 59

Few will forget Chip Beck recording a 59 on Oct. 11, 1991 during the third round of the LVI at Sunrise Golf Club (now Stallion Mountain Golf Club). Beck recorded 13 birdies during a bogey-free round and sank a 3-foot putt on the 18th hole to join Al Geiberger as the only sub-60 shooters in PGA Tour history.

Add Beck

When Beck shot his 59, he received $1 million -- $500,000 for himself and another $500,000 for charity. With his share, Beck set up the Chip Beck Scholarship Fund and the money still is distributed to selected youth each year for the college education.

Low finish

Tiger Woods' closing 64 at the 1996 LVI was one of the lowest finishes by a winner on the PGA Tour during that season. Fred Funk shot a final round 63 (8 under) and won the B.C. Open in a playoff. Davis Love III and Fred Couples fired 8-under 64s, winning the Buick Invitational and The Players Championship, respectively.

Streak ended

In 1996, Funk headed into the LVI fresh off his win at the B.C. Open and had an impressive streak of consistency going until the final two rounds in Las Vegas. During much of a three-week period, Funk did not record a bogey in 171 holes, a streak that ended in Las Vegas.