Things To Do This Week! Page 2
Pianist Doug Montgomery Page 5
Super Diamond Page 10
Taste of La Quinta Page 11
CareerBuilder Challenge
Defending champion Jason Dufner to defend title against past tournament champs
F
rom major championship winners to past tournament champions, to golf’s up-andcoming generation of competitors, the early commitments to the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge’s 156-player professional field showcase many of the world’s best, most accomplished PGA Tour golfers. Jason Dufner is committed to defending his CareerBuilder Challenge title against the likes of World No. 8 and 2014 tournament champion Patrick Reed, fellow victorious 2016 United States Ryder Cup teammate and two-time major champion Zach Johnson (2007 Masters and 2015 British Open), and 2010 and 2015 tournament winner Bill Haas — the PGA Tour’s 2011 FedExCup Playoffs champion – in the 58th edition of the tournament Jan. 19-22 at the Stadium and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club. CareerBuilder Challenge ambassador Phil Mickelson — the event champion in 2002 and 2004 and a five-time major championship winner – previously committed to play, pending his recovery from sports hernia surgery. As of press time … Mickelson has yet to confirm his participation on the course. (Check careerbuilderchallenge.com for details.) Dufner won his fourth PGA Tours title — his first since claiming the 2013 PGA Championship – at the
CareerBuilder Challenge defending champion Jason Dufner 2016 CareerBuilder Challenge by shooting 25-under-par 263 through the regulation 72 holes and besting David Lingmerth on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff. Joining Dufner and Johnson as major champions in the CareerBuilder Challenge field to date is 2009 British Open winner Stewart Cink and Angel Cabrera, the 2007 U.S. Open and 2009 Masters champion. Dufner, Haas, and Reed are among 13 past CareerBuilder Challenge champions entering the field. Also on this tournament honor roll are 2007 champ Charley Hoffman; 2009 champ Pat Perez, who is No. 3 in the PGA Tour’s 2016-17 FedExCup standings, Brian Gay (2013 CareerBuilder Challenge winner),
Mark Wilson (2012), Jhonattan Vegas (2011), D.J. Trahan (2008), Chad Campbell (2006), John Cook (1992, 1997) and Mark Brooks (1996). Among the CareerBuilder Challenge’s new amenities enhancing the fan experience will be a Saturday concert following play featuring popular indie-pop band Fitz and the Tantrums. As part of the tournament’s “Golf and Guitars” theme, the concert will be open to all spectators with a Saturday ticket and will take place adjacent to the driving range between the Stadium and Jack Nicklaus Tournament Courses at PGA WEST shortly following the conclusion of thirdround play on Jan. 21. The CareerBuilder Challenge’s main entrance at the Stadium
Course at PGA WEST will open up to food trucks, free fan activities and tournament exhibitors. CareerBuilder Challenge tickets and complete tournament information are available at careerbuilderchallenge. com. Daily grounds passes start at just $20, and there are options for weekly passes as well as upgraded VIP experiences. All grounds ticket options are eligible for viewing at all tournament courses. All active duty, reserve, and military retirees, along with one guest, may attend the CareerBuilder Challenge any day for free. Children 15 and under also receive free admission when accompanied by a paying adult (limit 2 children per adult). Daily parking passes ($10) and weekly parking passes ($30, good Jan. 18-22) are also available at careerbuilderchallenge.com.