NEW YORK – Tournament host Tiger Woods will be joined by two reigning major champions in what he regards as one of the deepest fields ever seen at the World Challenge, to be played from November 29-December 2 in Thousand Oaks, California.Masters champion Bubba Watson and U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson were both named on Wednesday in the elite 18-man field for the $5 million invitational event at Sherwood Country Club.Also competing will be fellow United States Ryder Cup players Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker, plus England’s Ian Poulter, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and Australian Jason Day.Twelve of the world’s top 20 golfers are lined up for Sherwood and Phil Mickelson, who likes to spend time with his family at the end of the year, is the only member of the 12-man 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup team not playing.“It’s one of the deepest fields we’ve ever had,” defending champion Woods said on a conference call. “We’re very excited about having as many Ryder Cup players, and players who have won all around the world playing in this event.”Woods has fond memories of his World Challenge victory at Sherwood last year because it was his first title anywhere since the 2009 Australian Masters and set the tone for a successful 2012 PGA Tour campaign highlighted by three wins.
