High stakes draw world-class field

Victoria Sun

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1999 | 11:35 a.m.

The stakes are always high when it comes to the Las Vegas Invitational, but not because of the temptations that lie on the casino-encrusted Strip.

The total prize money for this year's LVI has increased from $2 million last year to $2.5 million, making it a worthy draw for PGA Tour players such as U.S. Ryder Cup members Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, Steve Pate and defending two-time champion Jim Furyk.

Fourteen of the top 30 money winners on the PGA Tour's money list including Vijah Singh, Chris Perry and Ted Tryba are entered in the LVI.

The field of 144 players will be competing for this year's $450,000 first prize.

But money isn't the only reason why things heat up at the LVI each year.

The LVI, played at the home course Tournament Players Club at Summerlin, the Las Vegas Country Club and the Desert Inn Golf Club, is the next to last regular-season stop on the PGA Tour schedule.

Those fighting to remain in the top 125 on the money list have their work cut out for them. Players must finish in the top 125 in order to retain their PGA Tour cards for next season.

Those who don't make the cut will have to participate in the PGA Tour's Qualifying Tournament in November to keep their tour cards for the 2000 season.

Players such as Henderson's Craig Barlow, Robert Allenby, Woody Austin, Jay Don Blake and Trevor Dodds are among those whose performance at the LVI will probably affect their status for next season.

In addition to players hoping to avoid Q-School will be a group trying to finish in the top 30 on the money list, the qualifying standard for the Tour Championship at the end of the month.

The 17th edition of the LVI also will feature tour veterans John Daly, Lee Janzen and Fuzzy Zoeller, among others.

Zoeller, the inaugural winner of the LVI in 1983, helped design the TPC at Summerlin.

There will also be a fair amount of local representation at the LVI.

European PGA Tour player and British Masters winner Bob May, and PGA Tour regulars Jeff Gallagher and Phil Tataurangi are Southern Nevada residents.

May was granted a sponsor's exemption into the tournament.

As defending champion, Furyk will attempt to become the LVI's first three-time winner.

Furyk became the first two-time winner of the event last year by edging Mark Calcavecchia by a stroke.

This season, Furyk is 24th on the money list with $1,181,393. His best finish so far was at the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic, where he was second to Jesper Parnevik.

In 1995, Furyk won his first PGA Tour event at the LVI.

There have been many other memorable moments here as well.

In 1996, a 20-year-old rookie named Tiger Woods made a stunning tour debut at the LVI.

Woods rallied from four shots back on the final day to shoot a 64 at the TPC at Summerlin to force a tie with Davis Love III, then beat Love with a par on the first extra hole for his first professional victory.