Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin Enters U.s. Bank Championship

Corey Pavin, the Ryder Cup Captain for the United States in 2010 and a two-time winner in Milwaukee, has committed to play in this year's U.S. Bank Championship, Tournament Director Dan Croak announced today.

Corey Pavin is a 15-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including a major championship victory at the 1995 U.S. Open. Only five active TOUR players, Tiger Woods (66), Phil Mickelson (36), Vijay Singh (34), Davis Love III (20) and Ernie Els (16) have more career wins on the circuit than Pavin. Corey is one of eight two-time winners in Milwaukee and one of three to win a title at more than one site, earning victories in 1986 at Tuckaway Country Club and in 2006 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course. Pavin joins previously committed two-time tournament champions Jeff Sluman and Loren Roberts in the field for this year's event.

Corey set or tied several PGA TOUR records en route to his victory at the U.S. Bank Championship in 2006. Pavin birdied the first six holes of his first round on his way to a TOUR nine-hole record 26 for his front nine. He finished the first round with a career-low 61, tying the Brown Deer Park Golf Course record (Steve Lowery also shot 61 during his final round in 1999). Pavin also matched the lowest first 36-hole total (61-64-125) in TOUR history.

Pavin set several tournament marks, as well, with his win in 2006. His wire-to-wire victory was just the third in tournament history. Ed Sneed, in 1974, and Ben Crane, in 2005, also won in wire-to-wire fashion. Pavin's second round lead of four shots was also a record, besting the previous mark of three by one. His 72-hole total of 260 tied a tournament record as well. Ben Crane, in 2005, and Loren Roberts, in 2000, also won with scores of 260.

Corey's win at the 1986 Greater Milwaukee Open was the fourth of his career. Pavin earned the victory with a birdie on the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff with Dave Barr.

Pavin earned a major championship victory at the 1995 U.S. Open. After shooting 72-69-71 over the first three rounds, Corey entered the final round at Shinnecock Hills three strokes behind Greg Norman. Pavin's closing round 68 was highlighted by a 228-yard 4-wood shot to the 18th green where the ball came to rest 5 feet from the hole. A par on the final hole earned him the win.

Corey is a three-time member of the Ryder Cup Team, in 1991, 1993, and 1995, and a two-time member of the President's Cup Team, in 1994 and 1996. He will serve as captain of the United States team at the 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales. The American team will be defending its 16 ½ - 11 ½ win over Europe at the 2008 event. "I feel The Ryder Cup is the most dynamic experience a competitive golfer will ever have," Pavin said the day he was named Captain. "I never have been as nervous ... well, maybe today I'm a little nervous -- anxious or focused, as when I played in my three Ryder Cup Matches. In other words, it's a lot of fun to play in The Ryder Cup," said Corey.

A California native who currently resides in Dallas, Texas, Pavin has made 455 cuts in 632 starts over the course of his 26 years on the PGA TOUR, earning 106 top-10 and 227 top-25 finishes. He finished 1st on the PGA TOUR money list in 1991, a year in which he recorded a career best three wins. Pavin has one top-25 finish to date this season, a tie for 15th at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun.

The U.S. Bank Championship - 'You've Never Seen Golf Like This'
The U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee is Wisconsin's premier golf event and the region's only permanent PGA TOUR stop. The tournament has something for everyone, offering businesses of all sizes unique, cost-effective opportunities to achieve multiple goals at a single event and individuals affordable access to a professional sports event that can be enjoyed with family and friends. With the help of its volunteers, the not-for-profit U.S. Bank Championship has contributed millions of dollars to Wisconsin charities over the course of its history. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is the tournament's major beneficiary this year. The 42nd annual U.S. Bank Championship is July 13-19 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course. Information on tickets and business packages is available by calling the tournament office at 414-431-GOLF or by visiting the U.S. Bank Championship web site at www.usbankchampionship.com.