Refined Four Seasons awaits Verplank

2008-04-22

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IRVING, Texas (Ticker) - Scott Verplank will find things alittle different when he begins defense of his Byron NelsonChampionship title starting Thursday at TPC Four Seasons LasColinas.

The $6.4 million event had been played on two courses since1994, but is going back to a single site this season - the TPCFour Seasons, which has been recently renovated.

The changes to the par-70 layout include the lengthening of Nos.1, 2, 15, 16, 17, adding 200 yards in length. All of thegreens have been reshaped as well.

While parts of the course will be different, Verplank will belooking for a similar result to last year. In the first ByronNelson Championship to be played after the tournament's namesakepassed away, Verplank birdied three of his last five holes torecord the victory.

A native of Dallas, Verplank met Nelson as a child and had theopportunity to play a few rounds of golf with him. It wasfitting that someone close to Nelson was able to win last year,even if it was a bit of a surprise. Verplank had not won since2001 before edging Luke Donald by one stroke for his fifth PGATour title.

Verplank will get his share of attention this week, but manyeyes will be on Trevor Immelman, who will be playing his firsttournament as a major champion.

Immelman is making his first start since winning The Masters twoweeks ago. It will be the South African's third appearance inthe event with his best result being a runner-up finish to BrettWetterich in 2006.

Donald is back in the field and has a history of playing wellhere. His last 12 rounds in the event have all been in the 60s.

First prize is $1.15 million.