Congressional Testimony

Woods Wants Bethesda Venue to Host His Event Every Year

In a raspy voice brought on by a touch of strep throat, Tiger Woods nevertheless made it known loud and clear yesterday that he would like Congressional Country Club in Bethesda to be the permanent home of the AT&T National, his new signature golf tournament in the Washington area. He also said he still plans to play in the July 5-8 event, unless his wife, Elin Nordegren, gives birth to the couple's first child that week.

"I'm going to try to play," Woods said during a 30-minute news conference at Congressional. "I love this golf course and especially in an inaugural event, I want to be here. But as everyone understands, the number one priority in our lives is our child. You get to witness it for the first time only once. I want to be there to be with her in that moment."

Woods also indicated that one of his main priorities for his tournament would be to have it contested at the historic River Road course every year. Congressional members have agreed to stage the event this year and in 2008, but there have been no formal discussions beyond those two years. The club will earn about $2 million a year as a site rental fee.

TPC Avenel, site of Washington's PGA Tour stop since 1987, has been mentioned as a potential future site for the AT&T National. It's scheduled to undergo a $20 million renovation that likely will begin in August. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, site of four Presidents Cup competitions, also has been mentioned as a possible future venue.

Still, when asked where he wants the tournament played after the first two years, Woods smiled and said, "right here" at Congressional.

Any second choices, he was asked?

"Right here. It's one of the most historic sites in all of golf and it's really hard to actually go somewhere else when you look historically at what they've done here."

Congressional, already the site for three major championships since 1964, will be the host course for the 2009 U.S. Amateur tournament and the 2011 U.S. Open. Club president Stuart Long said yesterday he did not believe Congressional members would approve having Woods's event at the club during those two years.

"We bought into this event before we knew who the players were going to be," Long said. "We were mostly interested in bringing golf back to the Washington area. I think we'll see how much [the event] interrupts everything [at the club]. We'll see if it complements what we do and people are excited, or if it's a downer. We have a democracy here. Our members will decide."

A number of Woods's friends on the PGA Tour already have decided to play this year. They include Jim Furyk, No. 3 in the world rankings, Australian Adam Scott (No. 4), local favorite Fred Funk, Davis Love III and European Ryder Cup star Darren Clarke of Ireland. Other commitments have come from Charles Howell III, former Kemper Open champion Stuart Appleby and Englishman Justin Rose.

Woods indicated that he did not think Phil Mickelson, now No. 2 in the rankings, or Ernie Els (No. 5), who won the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional, would play in the first event. He added that Vijay Singh (No. 6), a three-time major champion, still hasn't made a decision. Masters champion Zach Johnson will not play.

"It's hard," Woods said. "This time of year, a lot of Europeans are already over in Europe getting ready for the British Open [July 19-22] and they have a commitment to their tour. This tournament is only 84 days old. Because of that, a lot of guys have already made up their schedules. Maybe the field will get a little better as it gets a little closer, but right now it's a little different."

Woods had a brief tour of the golf course before the news conference and said he'd like to see the rough grown much thicker. He also said he'd like to see speedier greens. He added that he'd like to see the tournament played "just like how we did in the Open in 1997. That was such a tremendous test and it produced a great champion in Ernie Els.

"I think everyone who played it back then thoroughly enjoyed the layout and the test and above all everyone thought it was fair. It was difficult, but it was fair. That's what we want to provide to all the players."

Woods was asked how he'd handle the situation if he was on the 18th hole on Sunday with a one-stroke lead and got a page that it was time for the baby to arrive.

"Well, I'll have to play real quick, won't I?" he said with a laugh. "Real quick."