Merrill Lynch Shootout

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The Merrill Lynch Shootout is a team golf event that takes place during the PGA Tour's Challenge Season, which begins after the last official money event of the season, THE TOUR Championship. In fact, this event takes place the very weekend after the TOUR Championship in November.

The event began in 1989, and is hosted by legendary golfer Greg Norman. The event takes place at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Florida. It is a 3-day, 54-hole strokeplay event in which teams of two compete. The first round, on Friday, uses the modified alternate shot rule; round two, Saturday, utilizes the better ball rule; and the final round, on Sunday, uses the scramble rule.

The event is broadcast in the United States by the USA Network and CBS, with USA broadcasting the first round on a tape-delayed basis, and CBS handling the second round live. Not all the country sees the final round live, as CBS's commitment to the NFL only allows part of the country to see the round as it takes place, with the rest of the U.S. seeing the event beginning at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. In 2007, the event will move to December, and will be broadcast live by both The Golf Channel and NBC.

The event was formerly known as the Franklin Templeton Shootout. Annika Sörenstam will play in the 2006 event. Fred Couples, a three-time event winner, will make his tenth appearance in the tournament.