(Memphis, TN)-Rory McIlroy committed shortly after noon today to play in next week’s FedEx St. Jude Classic. The 22-year old U.S. Open champion has seesawed back-and-forth between No. 1 and No. 2 in the Official World Rankings the past several months. McIlroy tweeted: “Excited about the next 3 weeks! Memorial, Memphis and then defend the U.S. Open…”
“The news of Rory’s commitment made this a memorable day for sure,” said Phil Cannon, FESJC tournament director. “Lots of hard work by a few individuals paid huge dividends. Zack Amin from FedEx and Jack Sammons, our general chairman, visited with Rory at Doral and have been in almost constant contact with him.”
McIlroy joins a strong field of golfers in the FESJC including 17th ranked Dustin Johnson, former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, Japanese superstar Ryo Ishikawa and defending champion Harrison Frazar. Others include former FESJC champions David Toms, Justin Leonard, Jeff Maggert, Woody Austin and Brian Gay; two-time U. S. Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa; British Open and PGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland; two-time major champion John Daly; former Masters champ Zach Johnson, Brandt Snedeker of Nashville; and a trio of highly ranked Swedish golfers including Henrik Stenson, Fredrik Jacobson and Robert Karlsson, who finished second the past two years at TPC Southwind.
Celebrities playing in Wednesday’s Championship Pro-Am, June 6, are sportscasters Michael Strahan, Warren Sapp, Greg Anthony, Tim Brando and Joe Theismann; TV actors Rob Morrow, Dave Annable and Brian Baumgartner; new football coaches Justin Fuente of the University of Memphis and Hugh Freeze of Ole Miss; NBA legends Penny Hardaway of Memphis and Rick Barry; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, former Tennessee football player Carl Pickens and syndicated columnist Roland Martin.
