Tiger to Play In 2006 Buick Open

It looks like Tiger Woods is getting back into the swing of things. He’s slated to play in the U.S. Open in two weeks at Winged Foot, and has announced he will enter the Buick Open at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Mich., July 31-August 6.

Vijay Singh, the only three-time winner in Buick Open history (1997, 2004, ‘05), will try to become the first player to win the tournament three consecutive times when he defends his title this year.

"We are very excited that two of the top players in the world are scheduled to return to Grand Blanc to play in the 2006 Buick Open," said Larry Peck, Buick's golf marketing manager. "They are both outstanding competitors and will add a tremendous amount of excitement to the tournament."

Woods, the 2002 Buick Open champion who has a sponsorship agreement with Buick, is scheduled to make his fifth consecutive appearance at the Buick Open and his eighth overall. He finished in the top-10 in five of his last six starts at Warwick Hills. Woods, 30, is the PGA Tour's all-time leader in prize money and is seventh on the PGA Tour career victory list with 48. He is second on the Buick Open's career money list with $1,703,740.

Singh, 43, became the first player to win the Buick Open in consecutive years since Tony Lema in 1965. He is the tournament's all-time money leader ($2,152,949) and will be making his 11th appearance at Warwick Hills. Singh is second on the PGA Tour's career earnings list.

Tom Pernice, Jr., who recently finished second at the Fed Ex St. Jude Classic, is scheduled to make his 10th consecutive appearance at the Buick Open and 15th overall. He won the 1999 Buick Open and is sixth on the tournament's all-time money list ($696,267). He has two top-10 Buick Open finishes (4th in 2001) and six top-25 finishes.

Woods, Singh, Pernice and the rest of the 2006 Buick Open field will compete for a record $4.8 million purse, including a $864,000 first prize and the keys to a 2007 Buick Lucerne.

For Buick Open tickets and information, call 800/878-OPEN or visit www.buickopen.pgatour.com.