Leonard back for more at Texas Open

Oct 9, 2008 - 10:05 AM SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- Justin Leonard joined exclusive company last season by winning the Texas Open, and with repeat performance he'll accomplish something that even Arnold Palmer couldn't.

Looking to put the finishing touches on one of the best seasons of his career, Leonard goes for his fourth Texas Open title when the $4.5 million event starts Thursday at LaCantera Golf Club.

Leonard and Palmer are the only players to win this event three times. Last season, Leonard defeated Jesper Parnevik on the third hole of a playoff for the title.

It was his first playoff win in five tries on the PGA Tour and it kick-started a revival in his game that culminated with a spot on the victorious U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Currently 10th on the money list with a career-high $3,963,661, Leonard is playing for the first time since the Tour Championship, where he secured an eighth-place finish in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

The Texas Open is one of the oldest stops on the PGA Tour and is the third of seven Fall Series events on the 2008 PGA Tour schedule. The event will move to a spring date next season and be a part of a three-event tour through the Lone Star state.

Leonard, Palmer and Bill Melhorn are the only players to successfully defend their titles in this event. Leonard did it in 2000-01 and has a pair of runner-up finishes here in addition to his three victories.

A Texas native, Leonard obviously feels at home on the 6,881-yard, par-70 layout at LaCantera. He has made the cut nine times in 10 starts in this event and is 121-under-par with 31 of his 38 rounds in the 60s.

Other players in the field this week include Davis Love III, David Toms, Chad Campbell and Dustin Johnson.

On Sunday, Johnson birdied the final two holes to win the Turning Stone Championship for his first PGA Tour title.

First prize this week is $810,000.