By Sean Martin, Golfweek
The new-look Humana Challenge has attracted several stars for its first year with a new format and the support of a former president, Bill Clinton. Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman and La Quinta resident Anthony Kim already have committed to the event Jan. 19-22 in La Quinta, Calif. Could Tim Tebow be next?
Tebow is busy this week preparing for the Denver Broncos' playoff game Saturday against the New England Patriots. The Broncos are 13 1/2-point underdogs, though. A loss would leave him available for the Humana, where his presence would be a big boost to the pro-am event. Tebow was named America's most popular athlete in a recent ESPN poll.
Larry Thiel, the Humana's tournament chairman, said the event likely would reach out to Tebow should he become available for next week's event.
"He wants to think 'win.' Monday is when I would reach out," Thiel said in an email to Golfweek. "We would love for (him to play). We will react after Sunday."
The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is courting Tebow for its event Feb. 9-12.
"There has been some discussion for a month or so between us and him," Ollie Nutt, president and CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, told PGATour.com. "There is definitely an interest [from both parties]."
A report earlier Thursday speculated that Tebow would be paired with Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach. Nutt denied that report to PGATour.com.
Tebow played the pro-am at last year's Honda Classic, hitting his opening tee shot approximately 350 yards. He also participates in charity events, including the Tim Tebow Foundation Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Sawgrass.
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