Past Champions Commit To Play In EDS Byron Nelson Championship

Irving, TX – Three past champions return to defend or reclaim their titles at this year’s Championship. Defending champion Scott Verplank joins earlier champions Ted Purdy and Shigeki Maruyama as official commitments to play in the 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

Verplank has a career total five PGA TOUR wins: 1985 Western Open, 1988 Buick Open, 2000 Reno-Tahoe Open, 2001 Bell Canadian Open and the 2007 EDS Byron Nelson Championship. He is ranked No. 1 for driving accuracy percentage. Verplank has appeared at 21 EDS Byron Nelson Championships, highlighted by his victory in 2007 when he won by one stroke over Luke Donald.

Purdy earned his first PGA TOUR victory in 2005 at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship. Purdy played the last 27 holes of the Championship bogey-free and seven under par to beat Sean O’Hair by one stroke. This will be his fifth Championship appearance.

Maruyama has played in nine EDS Byron Nelson Championships, earning his second career PGA TOUR victory at the 2002 Championship. In that year he became the seventh Nelson Champion to break 70 in all four rounds. He is ranked No. 19 for total eagles and 56th in career earnings on the PGA TOUR.

The 2008 EDS Byron Nelson Championship will be played April 23-27 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Las Colinas in Irving, Texas. For details, visit www.edsbyronnelsonchampionship.org.