THE TOUR Championship, presented by Southern Company, is headed for another sellout at Champions Golf Club. The Oct. 25-31 tournament,which marks the conclusion of the domestic portion 1999 PGA TOUR season, brings to Houston the top 30 money-winners.

This year marks the third time THE TOUR Championship is being played on the Cypress Creek course. Jodie Mudd won in 1990 and David Duval captured the title in 1997.

"We anticipate daily tickets and weekly Walk of Fame tickets selling out in the next few weeks," said Marlene Livaudais, tournament director. "We are only selling 5,000 daily tickets for each weekend day and expect those to be in high demand. Additionally, the sale of our weekly tickets has been brisk, so I project we will sell out sooner than we did in 1997.

"Corporate support has been strong as well, with most hospitality options already sold out," she added. "There are only two Corporate Marquees on No. 9 and one dining chalet on No. 15 remaining, as well as 25 Executive Club packages."

Defending champion Hal Sutton leads the marquee field. He captured his 10th career PGA TOUR title last October when he won THE TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, GA. Sutton sank a six-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Vijay Singh.

Sutton has been one of the most consistent players on TOUR this year,posting nine top-10 finishes, which equals his total from 1998. Sutton needs only three more top-10 finishes this year to match his career-best mark of 12 set in 1983. His most recent performance was a T-10 at the British Open.

Southern Company, the presenting sponsor of THE TOUR Championship, also is the Official Energy Company of the PGA TOUR. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company is the largest producer of electricity in the United States and one of the world`s largest independent power producers, with $35 billion in assets through regional utilities and international operations.

Proceeds from THE TOUR Championship, presented by Southern Company, benefit Houston Golf Association charities and national charities. The 1997 event contributed $1,639,000 to Houston-area charities.

Credit card ticket orders may be placed by calling 1-877-250-5747.