Golf: 84 Lumber May Become PGA's Fall Classic

FARMINGTON, Pa.

There were more than a few smiles two years ago when the fabulously wealthy Joe Hardy suggested that his 84 Lumber Classic would someday become golf's fifth major.

That may never happen to his tournament or any other. But what started out last year as just another lower-tier event during an oft-ignored portion of the PGA Tour schedule is showing signs of becoming a first: a fall tournament with a strong field.

With Hardy splurging on amenities like few other sponsors, the field for this year's tournament was substantially upgraded, from only one of the top 20 money winners in 2003 to nearly two-thirds of the top 30 - including world No. 1 Vijay Singh, who won Sunday.