Weir to Defend Hope Title

The 45th Bob Hope Chrysler Classic -- the first since Hope died at 100 last summer -- begins its five-day, 90-hole run Wednesday at the Palmer Course at PGA West, La Quinta Country Club, Bermuda Dunes Country Club and Indian Wells Country Club.

Mike Weir is the defending champion. Weir went on to win the Masters and the Nissan Open in a breakout year for the 33-year-old Canadian. Weir was fifth on the money list last year with $4.9 million and had 10 top-10 finishes in 21 tournaments.

Weir’s 90-hole Hope scores (67-64-65-67-67) and 330 total were 30 under par and were enough to defeat Jay Haas by two shots.

The Palmer Course is the host layout for the $4.5-million tournament, with $810,000 going to the winner.

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Thomas Bonk

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Hope Classic Facts

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Arnold Palmer holds the record for most Bob Hope Classic tournament wins with five:

* Format: Five-day, 90-hole tournament.

* TV: Wednesday-Friday, USA Network, 1-3 p.m.; Saturday, Channel 7, noon-3 p.m.; Sunday, Channel 7, noon-3 p.m.

* Two-time winners: Billy Casper, John Mahaffey, Johnny Miller, Corey Pavin, John Cook.

* Only back-to-back winner: Johnny Miller.

* Last 10 winners: 2003, Mike Weir; 2002, Phil Mickelson; 2001, Joe Durant; 2000, Jesper Parnevik; 1999, David Duval; 1998, Fred Couples; 1997, John Cook; 1996, Mark Brooks; 1995, Kenny Perry; 1994, Scott Hoch.