AT&T National Announces Final Field (Photo)

UPDATED
Justin Rose has withdrawn from the AT&T National. His statement is below. Brendon Todd is replacing him in the field.

“I’m disappointed to withdraw from the AT&T National, but the last three weeks have been extremely demanding both mentally and physically. This tournament has been very good to me – especially in 2010 – and I would play if I felt I could. Tiger and his Foundation run a great tournament, and I wish I could be there.”

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Because of an injury, Tiger Woods will not be part of the field in the 2013 AT&T National at Congressional Country Country Club but he will be in town to support the event which benefits his foundation.

Newly crowned U.S. Open winner Justin Rose of England and Masters Champion Adam Scott of Australia head a strong field for the 2013 AT&T National, set to be held June 25 – 30 at Congressional Country Club. Joining the 2013 Major winners will be standouts Rickie Fowler, Jason Day, Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk.

Tournament founder and defending champion Tiger Woods announced this week that he will be unable to participate due to a left elbow injury. Woods will be at Congressional Country Club throughout the week, beginning on Wednesday at the opening ceremony, to support the event which benefits the college-access programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation.

“The AT&T National means a lot to me and my Foundation. It’s especially difficult not defending my own tournament. It’s going to be a great event, and I look forward to being there to provide my support,” Woods said.

“We are excited to host our seventh AT&T National next week at Congressional. We have a great field of 132 professional golfers, a fantastic course, and what is sure to be exciting golf competition,” said Tournament Director and President & CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation Greg McLaughlin. “We’re excited Tiger is going to be in DC this week to support the Foundation and the event.”

Rose played beautifully down the stretch to win his first major title at Merion Golf Club. He won the AT&T National in 2010 when the tournament was played at Aronimink Golf Club outside Philadelphia. Scott scored his first major crown in April at Augusta National Golf Club, defeating Angel Cabrera on the second hole of a sudden death playoff. It marked the first green jacket earned by an Australian.

This year’s field also includes a nice blend of experience and youth. Bo Van Pelt was runner-up at the 2012 AT&T National and has had a solid 2013 campaign. He will be challenged by former major champions Furyk (U.S. Open) and Lucas Glover (U.S. Open), Cabrera (Masters), Stewart Cink (British Open), Vijay Singh (PGA and Masters) and recent U.S. Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III (PGA). Fowler, Nicolas Colsaerts, Ryo Ishikawa of Japan, and Jordan Spieth head a group of rising young stars.

Other players committed to playing in the AT&T National ranked in the Top 30 in the FedExCup point standings are Billy Horschel, Day, Mahan, Charles Howell III, Harris English, Jimmy Walker, Scott Stallings and Chris Kirk. Day and Mahan both made strong pushes to win the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club, Day tying for second and Mahan tying for fourth.

Other past champions in AT&T field are K.J. Choi, who won the inaugural event at Congressional in 2007, and Nick Watney, who prevailed at Aronimink in 2011. They will be joined by 2013 PGA TOUR winners Russell Henley (Sony Open in Hawaii); Brandt Snedeker (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am); Martin Laird (Valero Texas Open); Sang-Moon Bae (HP Byron Nelson Classic); and Derek Ernest (Wells Fargo Championship).

All will be playing for a purse of $6.5 million, including a top prize of $1,170,000.

Last year, Woods posted rounds of 72-68-67-69 to finish at 8-under 276, two strokes better than Van Pelt. Scott finished third. Notably, Day and Mahan shared eighth, while Watney placed 10th.

This marks the seventh year of the AT&T National and the fifth time it has been held at Congressional. The club has hosted five major championships, including three U.S. Opens, one U.S. Senior Open and one PGA Championship. The Blue Course is expected to measure 7,569 yards and plays to a par-71.

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