Defending Champ Byrd Commits to Kapalua in 2012

By Wendy Osher

Jonathan Byrd. Photo by Wendy Osher. Image rights courtesy PGA Tour.

Pro golfer Jonathan Byrd makes a return flight to Maui in the New Year confirming his commitment to play in the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions taking place January 5-9, 2012 at The Plantation Course in Kapalua.

Byrd, who won the playoff last year against Robert Garrigus said, “Hyundai has a small field, but it’s the best field I’ve won against in 10 years on TOUR. To win the first tournament of the year, the Tournament of Champions, wow, what a great feeling starting the season,” Byrd said in a press release.

As the event’s defending champion and five-time PGA TOUR winner, Byrd headlines a list of recent commitments to the Maui venue.

Tournament officials announced additional commitments for the winners-only Maui tournament were obtained from 2011 PGA TOUR winners David Toms, Mark Wilson, Chris Kirk and Nick Watney.

Wilson comes to Maui off of early victories in 2011 at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  This will be Wilson’s third time to Kapalua after finishing No. 22 in the FedExCup standings.

Toms qualified for the 2012 season-opening Maui event by winning the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.  Toms, who finished runner up in Kapalua in 2002, tees up on Maui for a ninth time at the Maui event.

Watney comes to Maui off of two early wins–the first at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, and the second at the AT&T National.  He is among those on the short list of candidates in contention for the 2011 PGA TOUR Player of the Year, ending the year at No. 9 in the FedExCup standings.

Kirk was one of six rookies to account for seven PGA TOUR victories in 2011, winning the Viking Classic, and finishing runner-up at the Shell Houston Open.  He is ranked 42nd in the FedExCup standings.

Tickets for competition rounds Jan. 6-9 are on sale now at www.pgatour.com/Hyundai, with limited spots still available in the tournament’s pro-am on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.

*** Supporting information courtesy, PGA Tour.