Although Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal couldn’t catch Tiger Woods on Sunday at the British Open, the splendid shot-maker could have momentum on his side when he returns to Castle Pines Golf Club for the Aug. 4-7 International.
Olazabal jumped from 61st to 40th in the world ranking after tying for third at St. Andrews.
“I had been struggling at the last four or five events, not really hitting the ball that well,” Olazabal told reporters at St. Andrews. “But I started hitting a few good shots earlier in the week and I tried to feed from that feeling.”
Olazabal, the 1991 winner at Castle Pines, committed to play in the 20th International along with other past champions Davis Love III (1990, 2003) and David Toms (1999), tournament officials announced Monday.
“Our list of past champions reads like a who’s who of golf,” said Larry Thiel, executive director of The International, in a statement. “They’ve been loyal to us over the years and this year is no exception.”
Love, who ranks 16th in the world, is looking for his first PGA Tour win of the season. He tied for second place at the MCI Heritage and Booz Allen Classic.
Toms won the 2005 Accenture Match Play Championship, a World Golf Championship Event, and ranks 12th in the world. He ranks fourth on the PGA Tour money list with $3,354,663, trailing Woods ($6,601,874), Vijay Singh ($5,994,203) and Phil Mickelson ($4,268,775).
Other past International champions who have officially committed include Ernie Els (2000), Rod Pampling (2004), Rich Beem (2002), John Cook (1987), Brad Faxon (1992), Tom Pernice Jr. (2001), and Clarence Rose (1996).
Mickelson (1993, 1997) told The Denver Post during the U.S. Open he planned to play in this year’s International after skipping the event in 2004.
Tournament officials said 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples, who tied Olazabal for third in the British Open, has declined an invitation to The International after having previously indicated that he likely would enter the event.
Tom Kensler can be reached at 303-820-5456 or tkensler@denverpost.com.
