No local players at this year’s AT&T National
It is no good news for the locals, this year’s AT&T National will not be featuring any local golfers. Although local boys attract extra crowds, the authorities decided not to go with local players.
There will not be any local pros on the field to impress the home crowd, and it is the sixth time in the last six years that local players will not be featuring in this event.
“I would love an opportunity to play in it,” said Ryan Fitzmeyer, who has tried his hand in several U.S. Open qualifiers. “Absolutely. It kind of sucks that I cannot play in a PGA event that is so close”.
Almost every tournament has local names featuring in it, including the US Open. AT&T National is an invitational tournament where everybody is invited.
“Anytime a local pro is in the field it is going to draw a big crowd following them around,” Fitzmeyer said. “But this is Tiger Woods, he can control the field. It is the AT&T Invitational”.
Beau Hossler, the 17-year old will be appearing at this year’s event, he was invited at the very last moment. Hossler made a name for himself at the US Open, where he matched toe to toe with Tiger Woods.
“That was pretty special because you got roaring crowds and everything and really got the major championship feel,” Hossler said.
Hossler is an exciting young talent and he will surely be a player to watch during this year’s AT&T National.
The field of the tournament is small as compared to other events. Only 120 players will take part in the tournament, instead of the usual 156.
AT&T National is one of the five tournaments that have been given the invitational status by the PGA Tour.
AT&T National is a tournament that Tiger Woods hosts himself and it benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. The Tiger Woods Foundation basically works for the betterment of poor children of America, its focus is mainly on the health and education of the children.
The AT&T National has no “Open” aspect to it, maybe that is why no local player is featuring in the event.
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