Austin, Armour Gain Exemptions

Woody Austin and Tommy Armour III have been granted sponsor’s exemptions into the Nissan Open on Feb. 26-March 1 at Valencia Country Club, tournament officials announced Monday.

There was speculation that Jason Gore of Valencia, coming off a stellar amateur season in 1997, might get one of the two available exemptions.

Officials decided instead to pick Austin and Armour, who have experience on the PGA Tour, rather than Gore, who turned pro in September and has limited professional experience.

Gore can still play in the Nissan Open is if he earns one of the four remaining spots for qualifiers. The qualifying tournaments are Monday at Los Serranos Country Club and Western Hills Country Club, both in Chino Hills.

Armour is in his 18th year as a professional. His only career PGA Tour victory came at the 1990 Phoenix Open. He finished 131st on the 1997 money list. Exemptions are granted to the top 130 finishers.

Austin, in his 11th year as a pro, has one career PGA Tour victory in the 1995 Buick Open. He finished 180th on the 1997 money list.

Others still looking to get in the tournament via the qualifying tournaments are former Cal State Northridge golfer Jeff Sanday, who shot a 63 in the opening round of the Buick Invitational two weeks ago, and Bob Burns, a former Valencia Country Club employee who played for two years on the PGA Tour.