English, Kuchar to defend Franklin Templeton crown, Kirk pulls out

HarrisEnglish

English and Kuchar combined to claim the 2013 version of the unique PGA Tour event, that sees 12 pairs of players combine for three stroke-play rounds - each of which are scored differently.

The first round goes by the scramble - or best shot - format, the second round sees players use the modified alternate shot rule, while the finale sees four balls used in the better ball format.

Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida will host the tournament, from which Kirk - the FedEx Cup runner-up in 2014 - has withdrawn from due to a wrist injury.

Patrick Reed has replaced Kirk in the field, with his fellow American to pair with Brandt Snedeker.

It is Reed's second late call-up to a tournament in as many weeks, as his 11th-hour inclusion into the Tiger Woods-hosted World Challenge saw him finish tied for third and claim a $212,500 cheque.

The Greg Norman-hosted event has a prize pool of $3.1million.

Former champions Sean O'Hair and Kenny Perry (2012), and Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker (2009), will also be in action to win the event for a second time.

Also former champions are Keegan Bradley (2011, with Brendan Steele) and Ian Poulter (2010, with Dustin Johnson), although they will play with Camilo Villegas and Billy Horschel respectively this time around.

Major champion Bradley will continue to work a non-anchored putter into his game, ahead of the blanket ban on the controversial club beginning at the start of 2016.

"I'm just kind of trying to work my way into it," Bradley said of the new putter. 

"I've been using only this putter since the Ryder Cup. 

"It feels comfortable... It's a little different. I have to get used to my setup. But for the most part, I feel freer on the greens."

Other pairings include Graeme McDowell and Gary Woodland, Jason Day and Cameron Tringale, Jimmy Walker and Ryan Palmer, Retief Goosen and Mike Weir, Charles Howell III and Scott Verplank, and Justin Leonard and Rory Sabbatini.

Author(s)