As 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions field takes form, players have three final chances to qualify

Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, October 19, 2012 – With the start of the 2013 PGA TOUR season just around the corner, recent PGA TOUR winners have earned a spot in the season-opening, winners-only Hyundai Tournament of Champions, held at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort, Jan. 3-7, 2013. Players now have only three chances left to qualify for the event with The McGladrey Classic this week, the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event two weeks later and the final qualifying opportunity at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Disney, Nov. 8-11.

The action on the PGA TOUR this year has been tremendous. Two of the early 2012 winners have capped their seasons with stellar performances this fall, American Brandt Snedeker andEngland’s Justin Rose. Snedeker won his second event of the year at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola after his thrilling comeback victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January. The victory at the TOUR Championship made Snedeker the FedExCup champion and solidified his spot as a captain’s pick on the U.S. Ryder Cup squad. Snedeker last played in the event in 2008, finishing T10.

It was Rose who finished runner-up to Snedeker at the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Following his runner-up finish, many give Rose the credit for inspiring the European Team’s amazing comeback victory at the Ryder Cup. The Englishman holed two vital putts during Sunday’s singles match on the 17th and 18th holes to give him a pivotal victory over Phil Mickelson. A few weeks after that memorable performance, Rose won the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final. Rose qualified for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with his victory in March at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship.

“The whole place is easy for us to be,” said Rose. “I did a little bit of snorkeling last time I was there even though I’m a little timid of the ocean. I saw a huge turtle swimming around. The tournament is a great challenge with it being a tournament of champions, but there is magic all around that week on and off the course. My wife has missed the trip the first couple of times that I’ve been, so I am very excited to head down there this year with my wife and our kids and really get some time at the resort and on the island with my family. The last two times that I’ve played, I’ve literally gone to play the golf tournament and it seemed almost like I was wasting an opportunity because the resort andMauihave so much more to offer.”

Recent winners in Ryan Moore (Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open) and Jonas Blixt (Frys.com Open) have also solidified their spots in the field. Players have until December to officially commit to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

“An exciting PGA TOUR season has translated into an outstanding qualified field for next year’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions,” said Steve Shannon, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “With 18 of the top 21 players from the final FedExCup points list qualified, this has the makings of the best Hyundai Tournament of Champions yet. We can’t wait for the golf, but we also look forward to raising money for the many worthy charities that benefit from the tournament.”

As a reminder, fans have the chance to win a trip to the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Hyundai’s “Road to Kapalua” Facebook sweepstakes kicked-off on Tuesday, Sept. 4, and runs through Wednesday, Oct. 31. Golf fans everywhere can enter for a chance to win a trip to the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions by “liking” Hyundai’s Equus Facebook page and filling out a short entry form. One lucky fan will be chosen to see the world’s best golfers take on Kapalua’s Plantation Course and the beginning of the 2013 PGA TOUR season. Enter at: on.fb.me/HyundaiRoadToKapalua.

Players currently qualified for the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions

Tickets are on sale now, and there are limited Pro-Am spots available. For more info, visit www.pgatour.com/hyundai or call 808-665-9160.

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