Annika joins Champions field

LEHI — Johnny Miller wants to keep his annual Nokia Champions Challenge mainly a father-son event, but he knows it takes a few new big names from the golf and entertainment worlds each year to keep the local fans coming back.

The new additions and new draws in this year's 18-team event, set for Aug. 29-30 at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club, will be Annika Sorenstam — the top female golfer in the world — and PGA Tour rookie-sensation Camilo Villegas — a big draw on tour with his long drives, flamboyant wardrobe and praying-mantis style of reading putts.

"There's a lot of people banging on our door each year to play in this," Miller said at a press conference Tuesday to announce the 2006 field.

Getting a commitment from Sorenstam, however, was a coup for Miller. Normally, she charges big money for specialty tournament appearances — much more than the $25,000 guaranteed money offered by those running the ninth-annual Nokia Champions Challenge. She agreed to come to Utah mainly because of her relationship with Miller through Callaway, and to play with her sister and fellow LPGA player Charlotta Sorenstam.

"If they putt well, they should do well," Miller said.

Villegas, a native of Colombia, is coming to help out close friend and recently graduated BYU golfer Oscar Alvarez, with whom he'll team. Miller expects Villegas to be a big attraction to the younger golfers and women in the gallery.

"He's the most famous guy on tour without ever having won," he said.

Also new in this year's field is blue-grass musician Dan Tyminski and former British Open champion Ian Baker Finch. The tournament also has a new charity, with proceeds this year going to the Children's Miracle Network.

Most of the tournament's past legends of the game are also coming back. Miller will team with son Andy Miller, Jack Nicklaus will team with son Mike Nicklaus, Dave Stockton will pair up with Dave Stockton Jr., Hale Irwin and Steve Irwin are again a team, and Craig Stadler returns with son Chris Stadler. Gary Player, whom Miller calls "the golfing ambassador to the world," will again pair up with son Wayne Player. Inaugural champions and Springville residents Billy Casper and Bob Casper will also tee it up again. Two-time champions Mike Weir and Dean Wilson will be going for their third trophy.

"We've had great loyalty," Miller said.

Nicklaus is basically retired and plays in very few events, which makes his annual trip to Utah a special treat for the local golf fans.