LA QUINTA, January 6, 2012 (AFP) - Australian golf great Greg Norman will make a rare US PGA Tour start when he tees it up this month in the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation, organizers said.
"We're thrilled to be able to add Greg Norman to our tournament field," said Larry Thiel, tournament chairman of the event that was formerly the Bob Hope Classic. "Greg continues to be one of the great names in golf.
"Because he plays a limited schedule, we know golf fans in Southern California and our national and international TV audiences will enjoy having the rare opportunity to see him compete."
Norman, a two-time British Open champion, captained the International side at the last two Presidents Cups.
Norman said the prospect of benefitting former President Bill Clinton's foundation, and encouragement from his friend and fellow golf pro Scott McCarron, convinced him to play in the tournament January 16-22.
"I'm confident with the recent changes to the tournament's sponsorship and format, and with the support President Clinton will give, this event, which has been one of the most iconic tournaments for decades, will once again establish itself as one of 'the' tournaments to play in," he said.
Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas won the Bob Hope title last year and is scheduled to defend the victory.
The event will be trimmed from 90 to 72 holes and played over three courses rather than four. The first three rounds will be in a pro-am format, with the last round featuring only the PGA field.
Clinton will be the keynote speaker at a national conference on health and wellness staged during tournament week.