Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler are among those competing in the PGA Tour Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas from Nov. 1-4, which has nonprofit Shriners Int'l "thinking that attendance will be up" at the event, according to Alan Snel of LVSPORTSBIZ.com. Shriners Open Chair James Stolze Jr. said that attendance was in the 38,000-39,000 range last year, and he believes the Spieth-Fowler combo "should goose those numbers upward" (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 10/12). Spieth on Friday committed to play in the event for the first time, saying it has "been on my radar for a while." In Las Vegas, Brian Hurlburt wrote Spieth is "another quality addition" to the field. Tournament organizers said that it is "one of the most talented" they have assembled. Tournament Dir Patrick Lindsey said, "This is another big commitment for us and we are thrilled." Spieth and Fowler will be joined at the tournament by fellow Ryder Cup teammates Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau and Webb Simpson, as well as Ryder Cup captain Jim Furyk (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/13).
MAKING THINGS RIGHT: GOLF DIGEST's Joel Beall noted Spieth's appearance in Las Vegas comes after he "failed to meet the PGA Tour's minimum appearance requirement last season when he did not advance to the Tour Championship." PGA Tour Exec VP & Chief of Operations Andy Pazder would not specify, but said that Spieth and the Tour had "come to a resolution" regarding Spieth's appearance provision last month (GOLFDIGEST.com, 10/14).
