Els, Johnson committ to play Verizon Heritage

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC --- Ernie Els and Zach Johnson, two of the most well respected golfers on the PGA TOUR, have just made early commitments to play in the 40th annual Verizon Heritage at the Harbour Town Golf Links, April 14-20.

In addition, Tournament Director Steve Wilmot also announced that Woody Austin and Fred Funk have signed up for the $5.5 million event, with a record $990,000 going to the winner.

Els, a two-time U.S. Open champ as well as a winner of the British Open, has been a repeated “bridesmaid” at Harbour Town, with seven Top Ten finishes.  The South African fell just one stroke short of the winner’s circle last April when Boo Weekley chipped in on the last two holes.

Zach Johnson exploded onto the PGA TOUR’s top stage last spring when he held off Tiger Woods to capture the coveted Masters.  Johnson followed that up the next week by firing a nine-under 275 to place sixth at Harbour Town.  A month later, Zach won his second championship of the year when he defended his Bell South title successfully.

Austin, who lost in a heart-breaker in 2003 when he got beat by Davis Love III in a playoff at Harbour Town, enjoyed his best season last year.  He not only captured the Stanford St. Jude title but was also one of America’s top players in the one-sided Presidents Cup victory.

Funk, the former University of Maryland golf coach, who’s made better than $20 million on the PGA TOUR, is now splitting his playing time successfully between the Champions TOUR and the PGA TOUR. 

Verizon Heritage badges are now on sale by logging onto www.verizonheritage.com or by calling 843.671.2448.  Badges can also be purchased on Hilton Head at Golf Outfitters at Shops on the Parkway and in Bluffton at The Village Golf Shop in Sheridan Park.

The Hilton Head/ Bluffton Chamber of Commerce is also selling badges at their three locations: the mid island office next to the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina at Shelter Cove, The Welcome Center on the north end of the island next to the Crazy Crab Restaurant and at the Bluffton Office inside the Liberty Saving Bank building located at the Belfair Towne Village.