The QBE Shootout added a former champion, a two-time major winner, and one of the contenders for a Presidents Cup captain’s pick in completing its field Tuesday. Ian Poulter, who won the 2010 tournament with Dustin Johnson, plus two-time Masters …
The QBE Shootout added a former champion, a two-time major winner, and one of the contenders for a Presidents Cup captain’s pick in completing its field Tuesday.
Ian Poulter, who won the 2010 tournament with Dustin Johnson, plus two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Kevin Kisner were among the 10 announced to the field by tournament host Greg Norman for the tournament, which is Dec. 11-15 at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.
“We are pleased to round out the field with such a quality group of players and equally thrilled with the compelling teams we’ve been able to put together,” Norman said in a release. “These dynamic duos comprised of young guns, recent Tour winners and established veterans are sure to create an exciting three-days of competition.”
The 24-person field features nine players whom won during this past season and a total of 80 career PGA Tour and LPGA victories as well as eight of the top 50 players in the world. There are also eight first-time participants in the annual event.
Kisner, who won the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, was listed by many as a possibility to be one of Tiger Woods’ captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup.
Also competing are: 2019 Valero Texas Open winner Corey Conners; reigning Zurich Classic of New Orleans champion Ryan Palmer; former Australian PGA Championship winner Harold Varner III; Kevin Chappell, who earlier this fall became the 10th player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59; six-time PGA Tour winner Charley Hoffman; four-time Tour winner and two-time Shootout champion Sean O’Hair, and six-time Tour winner Rory Sabbatini.
This year’s QBE Shootout will also feature nine new teams competing for the $3.5 million purse. The three returning teams are defending champions Brian Harman and Patton Kizzire as defending champions, Billy Horschel and Brandt Snedeker who played in 2018, and the return of the team of Graeme McDowell and Poulter, who were paired together in 2008.
Lexi Thompson will be playing for the fourth straight year, and this time will be paired with O’Hair, who won the QBE Shootout with two different partners, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry. Thompson played with Bryson DeChambeau her first year, and Tony Finau the past two.
Shootout rookies Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff also are paired together.
Finau, Patrick Reed, and Gary Woodland, all of whom have played in the Shootout multiple times, were three of Woods’ captain’s picks announced last week. Woods picked himself for the fourth selection.
Friday’s first round will be broadcast live by Golf Channel from noon to 2 p.m. and on Golf Channel Digital from 2-4 p.m. Over the weekend, the final two rounds will be live on Golf Channel from noon to 4 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday.
The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday, and a final-round four-ball on Sunday.
