Six-pack of U.S. Open champs to tee it up at Shaw Charity Classic

June 14, 2022 c_admin Lacrosse Comments Off on Six-pack of U.S. Open champs to tee it up at Shaw Charity Classic

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Jun 14, 2022  •  18 minutes ago  •  4 minute read  •  Join the conversation

Corey Pavin of the United States hits a shot from the 3rd fairway during the first round of the Shaw Charity Classic at the Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club on August 31, 2018 in Calgary, Canada. Photo by Vaughn Ridley /Getty Images

The roster for the 10th anniversary of the Shaw Charity Classic is shaping up nicely, thank you very much.

With the U.S. Open set to tee off, two of that major’s champions — Retief Goosen and Corey Pavin — have thrown their hat in the ring for a shot at the title at the Calgary stop in early August.

And four kings of the U.S. Senior Open — Colin Montgomerie, Olin Browne, Jeff Maggert and David Toms — have also announced their intention to swing for the win in the Shaw Charity Classic presented by Suncor, slated for Aug. 1-7 at Canyon Meadows Golf & Country Club.

“This is an incredible lineup of players who have helped create some of the most memorable moments in the game,” said Shaw Charity Classic executive director Sean Van Kesteren. “And they are sure to do their part in putting on another great show for all Calgary golf fans to enjoy.”

Goosen, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame during the 2019 U.S. Open, will make his third trip to Calgary. Most recognized for winning seven times on the PGA Tour, including his U.S. Open triumphs in 2001 and 2004, ‘The Goose’ was awarded the European Tour Player of the Year in 2001. A two-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions, he was also awarded the European Tour Order of Merit in both 2001 and ’02. Goosen was part of the International Presidents Cup squad six times and represented South Africa at four World Cups.

“I played in Canada many times over the years, so it is nice to come out to this part of the world,” Goosen said. “I spent time out at Lake Louise and did a bit of the sightseeing stuff and climbing up and down the glaciers when I was there last. It’s a wonderful part of the country, and the golf course was in great condition, so I am very much looking forward to getting out back up there.”

Fellow World Golf Hall of Fame member Montgomerie will be back in Calgary. The Scotsman, who is one of Europe’s greatest players ever, will be on a birdie-seeking mission when he makes his sixth trip to Canyon Meadows. A second-place finisher at the 2015 Shaw Charity Classic, Montgomerie is arguably the greatest Ryder Cup player ever. A winner of 53 professional tournaments, Montgomerie’s first three of six PGA Tour Champions victories were major wins, including a take of the 2014 U.S. Senior Open.

“I enjoy all of the PGA Tour Champions events, but Calgary is a special one,” Montgomerie said. “The course is absolutely perfect, and the tournament has had a tremendous impact on the community. It has been voted the No. 1 tour event three times for a reason, and I have always said as long as I’m on this tour, I’ll be participating in the Shaw Charity Classic.”

Pavin, who won the 1995 U.S. Open, will take a fifth crack at winning a white stetson in Calgary. Pavin delivered one of the best pressure shots in the history of the U.S. Open with his 228-yard, four-wood on the final hole at Shinnecock 27 years ago to capture his lone major title.

“It’s by far the most pressure I’ve ever felt on a golf course,” Pavin said. “I have never had a feeling like that on a golf course. I had been trying for 12 years to win a major championship. I had opportunities and didn’t do it so it was a huge relief, but to win the national open was an absolute thrill beyond words.”

Pavin is a 15-time winner on the PGA Tour. The California native spent more than 150 weeks in the top-10 on the official world golf rankings from 1986-97. A three-time Ryder Cup Team member, Pavin also captained the 2010 squad — the same year he joined the PGA Tour Champions. His lone victory on the 50-and-over swing came in 2012.

Browne, Maggert and Toms will round out the six-player announcement.

Maggert won the 2015 U.S. Senior Open — the same summer he won the Shaw Charity Classic. Maggert blitzed the field and the greatest names in the game with a final round 6-under-par 64, sparking a four-shot win in Calgary. The Texan looked right at home putting on the winner’s cowboy hat on the 18th green.

“I’ve lived in Texas for 40 years, so I’ve seen a few cowboy hats in my time. It felt good to put it on, and I definitely cherish that one,” said Maggert, a six-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions including two majors. “Winning in Calgary was the icing on the cake in my first full year on the PGA Tour Champions. It is such a great event, and I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Three-time PGA Tour winner, Browne, won the 2011 U.S. Senior Open.

A three-time U.S. Ryder Cup Team member, Toms will be hunting for his third PGA Tour Champions title when he arrives in Canada. The 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, including a victory in the 2001 PGA Championship, celebrated his first senior title at the 2018 U.S. Open.

The six players will join previously announced major winners, Fred Couples, John Daly and Padraig Harrington.