Mickelson, McCord and Park commit to Hyundai Matches

Richard Dunn

NEWPORT COAST - Early player commitments for the Hyundai Team

Matches at Pelican Hill Golf Club were announced Tuesday with some of the

top names in professional golf scheduled to join Jack Nicklaus and Tom

Watson in the made-for-television event Dec. 16-17.

This year’s field, which includes four two-player teams from the PGA,

Senior PGA and LPGA tours, will include Phil Mickelson of the PGA Tour,

Gary McCord of the Senior Tour and Grace Park of the LPGA Tour.

The event, formerly known as the Diners Club Matches, invites the

defending champions and the top money leaders on the tours. The invited

players are allowed to pick their own partner.

Mickelson elected to play with Rocco Mediate, while McCord chose John

Jacobs. Park decided to play with Kellie Kuehne, who played last year

with Laura Davies.

McCord and Jacobs are also locally renowned for their roles in an

unforgettable five-hole playoff in the 1999 Toshiba Senior Classic at

Newport Beach Country Club.