ST. LOUIS — Defending champion Roger Chapman and four-time winner and St. Louis native Hale Irwin highlight a list of 65 players who have committed to play in the Senior PGA Championship which will be held May 21-26 at Bellerive Country Club.
Irwin, who won the title three straight years from 1996-98 and again in 2004 is the top local player who was on the list of early commitments released by the PGA of America on Thursday.
Belleville native Jay Haas is also expected to compete at Bellerive which is hosting the Senior PGA Championship for the first time.
Bellerive also hosted the 1992 PGA Championship won by Nick Price. A total of 19 players who competed in the 1992 PGA Championship are among those who have committed.
That list includes John Cook and Jim Gallagher Jr., who tied for second place in 1992 as well as Russ Cochran and Dan Forsman, who tied for seventh place.
The field also includes eight major championship winners. Irwin, a three-time U.S. Open champion is on that list along with Mark Calcavecchia, Tom Kite, Bernhard Langer, Mark O'Meara, Scott Simpson, Jeff Sluman, Curtis Strange and Ian Woosnam.
Tickets are still available and may be purchased at spga2013.com or by phone at 1-800-742-4653.
