Woods bidding to break $50m barrier

WHILE Stephen Ames will be looking to defend his only PGA Tour title at the Western Open, Tiger Woods will have his sights set on an even loftier goal.

Woods needs just $56,974 in earnings to become the first player in PGA tour history to break the $50 million barrier in career earnings.

Woods is making his first start since his runner-up finish at the US Open in Pinehurst two weeks ago. The winner of The Masters in April, Woods was undone by two late bogeys and finished second in a major for only the second time in his career.

Woods has had great success in the Western Open, winning the event three times. He finished tied for seventh last season.

Joining Woods and Ames in the field is Vijay Singh, who heads the money list with $5,683,475 from 19 events.