Gore accepts invitation to inagural Winn-Dixie Open

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Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters Executive Director Jeff Sanders announced today Jason Gore, a past champion on both the PGA TOUR and the Nationwide Tour, has accepted a sponsor invitation to play in the first-annual tournament next week. Gore, who has split his time this year between the two Tours, has six Nationwide Tour victories and one PGA TOUR victory in his career.

"We are thrilled to have a player of Jason's caliber in the field for the first year of the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters," said Sanders. "He has such an impressive resume, and the fans just love him every where he plays."

"I'd like to thank the Winn Dixie Jacksonville Open presented by Planters for extending me a sponsor's exemption. It will be a great honor to play in the first year of an event that is sure to be a Tour stalwart for years to come," said Gore. "I'd also like to thank Peter Lynch, the Chairman, CEO and President of Winn-Dixie, for extending me the exemption, and I promise not to let him down. I look forward to seeing everyone there for what is going to be a tremendous week of golf."

Gore won his first Nationwide Tour title at the 2000 New Mexico Classic. He went on to capture victories in 2002 (the Oregon Classic and the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft) and 2005 (the National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic, the Scholarship America Showdown and the Cox Classic Presented by Chevrolet). Gore also won on the PGA TOUR in 2005, capturing the title at the 84 LUMBER Classic. In all, Gore, 36, has amassed more than $5.25 million in career earnings.

"The Dye's Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass will offer a tremendous test for me and the Nationwide Tour's elite players," Gore added. "I am excited to play at the home of the PGA TOUR, especially since the event is going to be so beneficial to a great number of the local charities."