Austria vs. Croatia

Vienna, Austria 05.23.2006Â
Although Austria did not qualify for the FIFA WorldÂ
Cup in Germany, the National Team is still playingCialis Western Open
friendly matches to give continuity to the NationalJuly 6th- 9th
squad and give opportunity to young players toCog Hill G&CC, Lemont, Illinois
demonstrate their skills in the international scenario.Live on XM 146/USA/ABC
One of those friendly matches will take place on MayPurse: $5,000,000
23rd when they face Croatia in home soil, as part ofLast Champion: Jim Furyk
the programmed FIFA dates for the teams toThe Cialis Western Open, conducted by the Western
prepare for the World Cup.Golf Association, has a history unparalleled by all but
Austria was in group 6 of the European zone, a veryone golf championship in the United States. First held
hard group that counted with the presence ofin 1899, the Western Open is the oldest championship
England and Poland, which were the two, teams thaton the PGA TOUR and the second oldest
qualified to Germany 2006.professional golf championship in the nation. Only the
Austria has a great canter of young players thatU.S. Open, first conducted in 1895 by the United
given the continuity needed might accomplish greatStates Golf Association, is older.
things in the future for their country.When the PGA TOUR professionals come to Chicago
Now other story awaits for Croatia a team that iseach year to compete in the Cialis Western Open,
qualified to the World Cup and will use this match upthey are following in the hallowed footsteps of golf's
against Austria to give the final tune up to theirall-time greats. Past champions include golf's greatest
squad before the World Cup Starts.legends, including Chick Evans, Walter Hagen, Gene
This will be their third successive appearance to theSarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead,
final stage of the tournament since they are anArnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The past two
independent country. Croatia finished on top of thedecades have seen Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Tom
qualifying round in group 8 from the Europe zone.Weiskopf, Ben Crenshaw, Nick Price and Tiger
In teams news Croatia’s coach ZlatkoWoods add their names to the Western Open's J. K.
Kranjcar announced on Friday an expected 24-manWadley Cup's impressive roster of champions.
squad for the FIFA World Cup in Germany nextToday, the Western Open is considered the founding
month where he said he hoped his team would reachevent of the PGA TOUR. Much has changed since
the second round at least.1899, including the prize money. This year's 102nd
"I earlier said I would pick the players who carried theWestern Open purse totals $5 million, with the winner
burden of qualifying so I've had a pretty clear pictureearning $900,000. In the Western Open's initial year,
of who to choose for some time," Kranjcar told athe total purse was $150, with the winner earning
news conference.$50.
In the group stage Croatia faces Brazil, Australia andOn last year's tournament Furyk , after finishing
Japan and Kranjcar said he saw his team progressing.second three times last year, including a devastating
"I can feel a great team spirit in the squad and I thinkloss the previous weekend, Furyk against all
we're well capable of doing it," he said. As we seeSportsbook odds answered Woods' charge with
the Croatian team is very motivated toward thethree straight birdies and hung on to win the Cialis
start of the World Cup and is a team that can giveWestern Open. It was his 10th PGA TOUR victory
big surprises if they keep playing like they did in theand the first since the 2003 Buick Open.
qualifying round.After tapping in for a birdie, Furyk took off his cap
Most sports books will have lines for these friendlyand shook hands with third round co-leader Ben
matches that might not be as exciting as the WorldCurtis. Furyk then turned and pumped his fists to the
Cup matches but still is a chance for the sportscheering crowd before sharing a long hug with caddie
betting fans to track the progress of their favoriteFluff Cowan.
teams.