RICK BROWN • ribrowndmreg.com • May 12, 2009 The leading money winner on this year’s Champions Tour will not play in the Principal Charity
Classic golf tournament later this month at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. let officials know he decided against playing in central Iowa. “He flat-out told us no,” tournament director Jamie Alt said today. But Langer, who cited his schedule as the reason for his absence, will be the only player among the top 15 money winners not in town when the $1.725 million event takes place May 29-31. “I think it will be one of the strongest (Champions Tour) fields of the year, other than a major,” Alt said. “I’m pretty confident about that.” Several notable players committed to the event today, including second on the money list, and Nick Price, who is No. 5. Roberts was a runner-up at Glen Oaks in 2006 and Price finished third last season. The only players among the top 30 money winners not in the field are Langer and Don Pooley, the 2003 champion. Fulton Allem, currently 17th on the money list, is the second alternate and could get in. And Tom Lehman, who paired up with Langer to win the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf title in his Champions Tour debut, is still a possibility. “I’d say it’s a longshot, but at least there’s a glimmer of hope there,” Alt said. Bernhard Langer, of Germany, waves to the crowd after holing out for an eagle on the ninth hole during the first round of The Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament on April 24 in Savannah, Ga.
(AP FILE PHOTO)