Las Vegas, Nevada (August 6, 2014)–Bob May considers Las Vegas home and today he received a call from his hometown tournament with an offer of a sponsor's exemption into the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Tournament director Adam Sperling made the call to May with the invititation and it was a thrill and perfect time all rolled into one for May, who has been all over the news this week reliving his epic battle with Tiger Woods at the 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla. –By Brian Hurlburt
"I was ecstatic to get the invitation and it will only help me as I try to prepare for Tour school in November," said May, who lost in a playoff to Tiger after firing a 31 on the back nine which wasn't enough to defeat the best player in the world. "I am very excited because Las Vegas is my home and I love the city and I love the tournament. I hope I can do Las Vegas proud."
May now operates the Bob May Golf Academy at SilverStone and Badlands Golf Club but has aspirations of playing on the PGA TOUR again now that his back is better, at least for the time being. May won the 1999 British Masters and was considered one of the best junior golfers ever in the state of California. He moved to Las Vegas following his college career at Oklahoma State.
The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open will be played for the 32nd-straight year in 2014. May has played in the event several times including 1999-2001 when he finished in the top 25 in each event including a tie for 13th in 1999. The event takes place October 14-17 and TPC Summerlin. May will then head to PGA TOUR Q School in November.
May was inducted into the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame prior to the start of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open last year. In a video that played prior to his induction speech, Keith Flatt, a noted Las Vegas PGA of America professional, recounted how several PGA TOUR pros had told him that May was among the best ball strikers they had ever seen.
“You played incredible,” Woods whispered to May when it was over at the PGA Championship in 2000. May is now hoping for an incredible week in October during the Shriners. A solid finish would jump start his comeback and maybe put him on track to face Mr. Woods again someday.