INDIO, Calif., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- After a dominant performance in the Grand Slam of Golf, Tiger Woods heads a four-player field again in the annual Skins Game.
Phil Mickelson, two-time majors winner Mark O'Meara, and former Masters champion Fred Couples also will compete in the lucrative event beginning Saturday at the Landmark Golf Club at Indio, Calif.
Woods is coming off a dominant 14-stroke victory in the Grand Slam of Golf, an unofficial two-round event. The world's best player fired an 11-under-par 61 on Wednesday for a 36-hole total of 17-under 127.
Woods, just 26, has claimed 11 major titles, tying him with Walter Hagen for third on the all-time list behind Jack Nicklaus (20) and Bobby Jones (13). In addition to his victories at the Masters and U.S. Open this year, Woods won the Bay Hill Invitational, Buick Open, and the American Express Championship.
Despite playing only 18 events, he again topped the PGA Tour money list this year, earning nearly $7 million, bringing his career total past $33 million.
Woods will be making his fourth appearance in the Skins Game. His most recent appearance was last season, when Greg Norman won all 18 skins and $1 million.
Norman is not competing this year because of what tournament organizers said was a "previous commitment." Woods was invited to take his place, and Mickelson received a sponsor exemption. He will be making his Skins Game debut.
Couples, the 1992 Masters winner, will be competing for the ninth time, tying the record held by Jack Nicklaus. He has earned $2.1 million in career skins, and won the event in 1995, '96, and 1999.
O'Meara competed in the Skins Game in 1997, '98, and 1999.
The Skins Game will return to its original format this year, meaning a player no longer has to validate a skin on the following hole by winning or matching the low score to claim the money he won on the previous hole.
Each of the first six holes will be worth $25,000. Holes 7-12 are worth $50,000, and holes 13-17 will each be worth $70,000. The 18th hole will be worth $200,000.
All four players have agreed to donate 20 percent of their winnings to charity.
The Landmark Golf Club is a par-72, 7,068 yard layout.
