Rookies bolster Toshiba

Champions Tour rookies Fred Couples, Corey Pavin and Paul Azinger have all committed to competing in the Toshiba Classic, scheduled March 1 through 7 at Newport Beach Country Club.

The three golfers are expected to split 2010 between the PGA and Champions tours.

In 2009, Couples tied for third at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club and the Shell Houston Open. He tied for fifth at the Wyndham Championship.

He is a 15-time PGA Tour winner, including the 1992 Masters title. He was the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1992

Pavin, a former UCLA standout, posted four top-20 finishes last year, including a tie for 19th at the PGA Championship.

He also has 15 career wins on the PGA Tour, including the 1995 U.S. Open. He led the PGA Tour in winnings in 1991.

Azinger owns 12 PGA Tour victories, including the 1993 PGA Championship and the 1992 Tour Championship. He won three tour events in 1987 en route to Player of the Year honors.

Azinger, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in his right shoulder blade late in 1993, was the PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year in 2000, when he topped the $1 million mark for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer.

“With this terrific trio, I believe the Champions Tour has not been this strong in quite a while, said Jeff Purser, Toshiba Classic executive director. “Come March, the Toshiba Classic is certain to have one of its most prominent fields ever.”

The $1.7 million Toshiba Classic features a $255,000 purse for the winner.

For ticket information, visit ToshibaClassic.com.

— From staff reports