Couples strengthens AmFam field

A star-studded field for the second annual American Family Insurance Championship just got even better.

Fred Couples, one of the most popular players in golf, has committed to play in the PGA Tour Champions event, June 23-25 at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison.

The tournament released the 78player field Friday.

Couples and tournament host Steve Stricker will play in the AmFam Championship for the first time, as will Jerry Kelly, Nick Faldo, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Colin Montgomerie, Corey Pavin, Vijay Singh and Ian Woosnam.

Stricker and Kelly, Madison residents, reached the tour's minimum age of 50 in February and November, respectively.

Kirk Triplett will be back to defend his title. The field also includes John Daly, Jay Haas, Tom Lehman, Kenny Perry and Fox Point native Skip Kendall.

Jim Schuman, former University of Wisconsin golf coach and a two-time State Open champion, was granted a sponsor’s exemption, as was Mike Small, Stricker’s teammate at the University of Illinois and the current Illini golf coach.

Bernhard Langer, already a threetime winner this year, will not play in Madison because of a family commitment.

“This year’s field is tremendous and one of the strongest on tour this year,” said tournament director Nate Pokrass. “With the new players and contingent of returnees, we like our chances of surpassing the 56,000 spectators we had last year and, in the process, raising more money for charity.”

The second round of the tournament on June 24 also will feature a celebrity foursome comprised of Packers great Brett Favre, former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter, singer-songwriter Darius Rucker and two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North.

The group will play a nine-hole scramble starting on the 10th hole at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at AmFamChampionship.com under the “tickets” link on the home page.