Tiger commits to 2010 Players

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Ending several weeks of anticipation, Tiger Woods announced Wednesday that he would compete in THE PLAYERS Championship.

"This is our event, and it always attracts one of the best fields of the year," said Woods on his website. "It's a tournament everybody wants to win."

Woods' commitment adds to what annually is -- top-to-bottom -- the strongest field in golf. Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who ranks No. 2 to Woods in the Official World Golf Ranking, committed to THE PLAYERS last week.

"We are thrilled to add Tiger Woods to THE PLAYERS Championship field and really appreciate the fact that he gave us advance notice so we can generate additional excitement here in the community," said Jay Monahan, Vice President and Executive Director of THE PLAYERS. "This is a huge boost for what was already shaping up to be an incredible week for our fans on site and those watching around the world. The addition of the world's No. 1 player will only enhance THE PLAYERS, and we look forward to welcoming Tiger -- and what we hope will be record crowds -- to TPC Sawgrass."

Players have until 5 p.m. on Friday, April 30 to commit to the tournament.

Woods ended a five-month layoff at the Masters where he tied for fourth. THE PLAYERS will mark Woods' second straight tournament -- he said last Tuesday that he will play in next week's Quail Hollow Championship. He also announced on his website that he will play in the AT&T National, July 1-4, at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pa.

Woods won THE PLAYERS in 2001, a year after he finished second to Hal Sutton in a stirring Sunday duel at TPC Sawgrass. He shot 14 under on the Stadium Course to beat Ponte Vedra Beach resident Vijay Singh by a stroke.

The world No. 1 has played in 12 PLAYERS and has four top-10 finishes. Woods tied for eighth last year but finished seven strokes behind Henrik Stenson. That was his first top-10 since his 2001 victory.

Courtesy: PGA Tour