Mark Calcavecchia has announced he will play in December''s Merrill Lynch Shootout in Florida despite his injury worries.
The 1989 Open champion won the Greg Norman-hosted pairs event with Woody Austin last year and is determined to defend the title even though he will go under the knife this week to rectify a long-standing problem with his left knee.
Calcavecchia has been struggling for fitness since the US Open - an event won by another player carrying a knee injury, Nike golfer Tiger Woods - and will have surgery to repair a damaged medial meniscus.
The 48-year-old has had four previous knee operations and is confident he will be fit in time to take on a top-class field at Tiburon Golf Club between December 10th and 14th.
"I''ll play the Merrill Lynch in a wheelchair if I have to but I''ve got plenty of time to get ready for it," he told the PGA Tour''s official website.
Callaway golfer Rocco Mediate, Cobra professional Ian Poulter and US Ryder Cup stars Boo Weekley, Stewart Cink, Kenny Perry and JB Holmes are among the other players to have confirmed their participation in the Merrill Lynch Shootout. |