| Vienna, Austria 05.23.2006 | | | | Â |
| Although Austria did not qualify for the FIFA World | | | | Â |
| Cup in Germany, the National Team is still playing | | | | Cialis Western Open |
| friendly matches to give continuity to the National | | | | July 6th- 9th |
| squad and give opportunity to young players to | | | | Cog 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 May | | | | Purse: $5,000,000 |
| 23rd when they face Croatia in home soil, as part of | | | | Last Champion: Jim Furyk |
| the programmed FIFA dates for the teams to | | | | The 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 very | | | | one golf championship in the United States. First held |
| hard group that counted with the presence of | | | | in 1899, the Western Open is the oldest championship |
| England and Poland, which were the two, teams that | | | | on 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 that | | | | U.S. Open, first conducted in 1895 by the United |
| given the continuity needed might accomplish great | | | | States 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 is | | | | each year to compete in the Cialis Western Open, |
| qualified to the World Cup and will use this match up | | | | they are following in the hallowed footsteps of golf's |
| against Austria to give the final tune up to their | | | | all-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 the | | | | Sarazen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, |
| final stage of the tournament since they are an | | | | Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. The past two |
| independent country. Croatia finished on top of the | | | | decades 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 Zlatko | | | | Woods add their names to the Western Open's J. K. |
| Kranjcar announced on Friday an expected 24-man | | | | Wadley Cup's impressive roster of champions. |
| squad for the FIFA World Cup in Germany next | | | | Today, the Western Open is considered the founding |
| month where he said he hoped his team would reach | | | | event 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 the | | | | Western Open purse totals $5 million, with the winner |
| burden of qualifying so I've had a pretty clear picture | | | | earning $900,000. In the Western Open's initial year, |
| of who to choose for some time," Kranjcar told a | | | | the total purse was $150, with the winner earning |
| news conference. | | | | $50. |
| In the group stage Croatia faces Brazil, Australia and | | | | On 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 think | | | | loss the previous weekend, Furyk against all |
| we're well capable of doing it," he said. As we see | | | | Sportsbook odds answered Woods' charge with |
| the Croatian team is very motivated toward the | | | | three straight birdies and hung on to win the Cialis |
| start of the World Cup and is a team that can give | | | | Western Open. It was his 10th PGA TOUR victory |
| big surprises if they keep playing like they did in the | | | | and 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 friendly | | | | and shook hands with third round co-leader Ben |
| matches that might not be as exciting as the World | | | | Curtis. Furyk then turned and pumped his fists to the |
| Cup matches but still is a chance for the sports | | | | cheering crowd before sharing a long hug with caddie |
| betting fans to track the progress of their favorite | | | | Fluff Cowan. |
| teams. | | | | |