Player competed in 10 Champions Tour events in 2009 and Trevino only played in six.
The International Ambassador of Golf, Gary Player, was the inaugural tournament winner in 1988. Throughout his illustrious career, he amassed an astounding 163 victories around the world, including 24 PGA TOUR victories and 19 Champions Tour victories. He was the third person to complete the modern Grand Slam (winning the four major titles in a career) behind Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan. In all, he totaled nine major championships on the PGA TOUR and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Player’s significance to the game of golf goes much deeper than his victories. Now 74 years old, he operates The Player Foundation which supports education for underprivileged children. The Foundation built the Blair Atholl Schools in his native Johannesburg, South Africa. He also operates Black Knight International which includes Gary Player Academy, Gary Player Equipment and Gary Player Enterprises.
The 70 year-old Trevino, a 1981 inductee to the World Golf Hall of Fame, won back-to-back titles in Naples in 1990 and 1991. Throughout his career, he totaled 29 PGA TOUR victories and 29 Champions Tour victories, including two U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships and two British Open titles. The 5-foot-7 ball of fire is best known for his quick wit that makes players and galleries laugh while commanding their respect at the same time. A natural performer, but also a hard worker, Trevino is arguably the most consistent shotmaker the game has ever seen.
Tommy Armour III, 50, will make his Champions Tour debut in Naples. A regular on the PGA TOUR, Armour participated in 16 events in 2009. He has had success as recently as 2008 with second and third-place finishes. Armour has two career PGA TOUR victories. His grandfather was the legendary Hall of Famer by the same name, who won three major championships while competing in the 1920s and 30s.