Fathauer twins set to make fans see double

MIAMI: Fans at this week's Ginn Classic will see double when brothers Derek and Daryl Fathauer become the first twins to play in a PGA Tour event for 26 years.

The 21-year-olds, seniors at the University of Louisville, grew up close to the hosting Tesoro Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida and are competing on sponsor's exemptions.

"We're pretty excited about playing, especially in our hometown," Daryl told reporters on Wednesday as the identical twins prepared for Thursday's opening round. "All our family and friends can come out and watch us."

Derek added: "So far it has been a lot of fun. I've seen all the pros that I've always looked up to out on the range. I haven't talked to any of them but you see them walking around out there and it's pretty cool."

Asked to outline his expectations for the week, Derek replied: "I would say we're just here to enjoy it and make the best of it.

"Whether we make the cut or not, we're not really looking at that. Just play our best and see where that gets us."

Daryl agreed: "Same here. Both of us have played in some pretty big tournaments so we've seen a little bit of what it's like."

The first twins to appear in the same Tour event since Curtis and Allen Strange in 1981, the Fathauers have already caught the eye of the last surviving competitor from the inaugural Masters.

Errie Ball, 96, played in the 1934 Masters at Augusta National and was favorably impressed by the twins while spending time with them on the range.

"They have great swings and it looks like one swing, the same on each person," Wales-native Ball said. "The only difference I could see is one had his right hand a little bit more under the shaft than the other."

The $4.5 million Ginn Classic is the penultimate event on the 2007 PGA Tour schedule.

Agencies

(China Daily 10/26/2007 page23)