E-Notes: First-time winners abound at Viking Classic

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• This week's Viking Classic will mark the 15th playing of the event since it became an official victory event on the PGA TOUR.

• You might want to look for a first-time winner this week at the Viking Classic. Six of the previous 14 Viking Classics have been won by first-timers?Brian Henninger, Ed Dougherty, Willie Wood, Cameron Beckman, Luke Donald and D.J. Trahan.

• The field at this week's Viking Classic features 10 players who have won major championships, one (Fred Funk) who won a Champions Tour major earlier this year and three players who have won on the PGA TOUR this year?Brian Gay, Greg Kraft and Steve Lowery.

• While 2007 Viking Classic champ Chad Campbell is off competing in the Ryder Cup this week and won't be able to defend, 13 players who have competed in the Ryder Cup previously will be on hand?Mark Calcavecchia, Chris DiMarco, David Duval, Fred Funk, Jim Gallagher Jr., J.J. Henry, Lee Janzen, Jeff Maggert, Larry Mize, Jesper Parnevik, Chris Riley, Vaughn Taylor and David Toms.

• This week marks the start of the Fall Series in which players will have seven events to improve their standing on TOUR and attempt to finish among the Top 125 money winners to secure their playing privileges for 2009. As the Fall Series begins, rookie Dustin Johnson holds down the 125th spot with $621,605 in earnings.

• The victory at the BMW Championship by Camilo Villegas made Colombia the 25th country to produce a PGA TOUR winner.