NAUCALPAN, Mexico, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- In a country where it is often
suggested that you avoid drinking the water, Mike McCullough
knows all about ending a drought.
McCullough will try to defend his title as the Senior PGA Tour
heads south of the border for the $3 million Audi Senior
Classic, which begins Friday at the Club de Golf Chapultepec
near Mexico City.
McCullough won for the first time in 612 PGA Tour-sanctioned
events last season, beating Jim Colbert and Bob Eastwood by a
stroke at La Vista in Puebla.
Currently 15th on the money list, McCullough faces a field that
includes Hale Irwin and Bruce Fleisher.
Irwin, a 33-timer winner on the elder circuit, finished second
in last week's Verizon Classic, one shot behind winner Doug
Tewell, who is taking the week off.
Irwin won the ACE Group Classic two weeks ago and last week
finished in the top three for the 74th time in his career, tying
Bob Charles record for most top-three finishes.
Fleisher's best finish this year was a tie for second at the
Carribean Classic. He had a chance to win last week, but fell
apart in the final round with a 4-over 75. Fleisher is a 14-time
winner on the Senior Tour.
The field this week also includes 2000 winner Hubert Green and
Victor Garcia, the father of Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia. The
elder Garcia is competing on a father's exemption.
Green shot a final-round 62 in the second round of the 2000
event, a mark tied by Colbert in the final round last year.
Tom Kite, the leader of the Charles Schwab Cup standings,
is not entered.
After three weeks in Florida, the Senior Tour will stop in
Mexico this week before heading to California for three events.
The par-72 course measures 7,204 yards. First prize is
$255,000.
