With good health, Palmer to play Oak Tree

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EDMOND, Okla. -- Health permitting, Arnold Palmer plans to compete in the 67th Senior PGA Championship next month at Edmond's Oak Tree Golf Club.

Palmer's agent informed PGA of America officials last week of Palmer's intentions to play in the event, tournament chairman Ben Rubin said Sunday.

"It's a big deal," Rubin said.

A news release on Palmer's Web site says the 1980 and 1984 Senior PGA champion is considering making his first tournament start this year at the Senior PGA.

"He's told us through his agent that if he's healthy enough, he'll play. As far as what the chances are, I don't know," Rubin said.

Palmer missed the cut at last year's Senior PGA Championship at Ligionier, Pa., after shooting 82 and 86 on the par-72 course at Laurel Valley Golf Club. He did not play the event in 2004 because of a hip injury.

The last time Palmer, 76, played competitively was in February when he teamed with Peter Jacobsen at the Champions Skins Game in Hawaii. He is expected to appear at The Masters this week and play in a celebrity golf tournament on April 10.

Palmer has won 62 PGA Tour events and 10 on the senior tour. He also has won 19 other events worldwide and five international senior titles. He won four Masters, two British Opens and one U.S. Open.

The Senior PGA Championship will be held May 22-28. Seven other past champions are already in the field: Raymond Floyd (1995), Doug Tewell (2000), Tom Watson (2001), Fuzzy Zoeller (2002), Tom Wargo (1993), four-time winner Hale Irwin and defending champion Mike Reid.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

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