The 3M Championship is not just about the men this year. Three of the top women's golfers in history are scheduled to play in an event that's part of the Champions Tour stop at the TPC Twin Cities July 29-Aug. Annika Sorenstam, Nancy Lopez and Pat Bradley will comprise the first women's team in the Greats of Golf Challenge associated with the event. "We always try to do new and different things," Hollis Cavner, the tournament's executive director, said in making the announcement Monday. "Annika is excited to come here, Nancy is working on her game and Pat is just thrilled."
Sorenstam won 72 LPGA tournaments, including 10 majors; Lopez has 48 career LPGA wins, including three majors; and Bradley has won 31 LPGA events, including six majors. The women will compete on Aug. 3 against a pair of men's teams. One will be comprised of Lee Trevino, David Graham and Bill Rodgers and the other will be Johnny Miller, Dave Stockton and player Cavner said is "somebody that everybody's going to love." Arnold Palmer is scheduled to captain the women's team while Billy Casper and Don January will serve as men's team captains.
"We think Saturday will be a special deal," Cavner said. Cavner said 28 of the top 30 Champions Tour players are scheduled to participate in the tournament, including Minnesota native Tom Lehman. However, defending champion Bernhard Langer will miss the tournament due to a business commitment in Europe. Among the scheduled first-time players are Colin Montgomerie, Rocco Mediate and Steve Elkington. Admission to the tournament will again be free. "We want to grow the game and have a lot of fun with it," Cavner said.