GRAND BLANC, Mich. -- Fifty years ago, the Buick Open began. In 1958, Buick became the first corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour, a relationship that continues today. On Wednesday, June 25, Buick will be hosting a ceremony to commemorate its 50th year of the Buick Open.

Brian Bateman won the 2007 Buick Open, it was his first Tour victory and led to a career year. Bateman, who last tasted victory at the 1998 Carolina Classic on the Nationwide Tour, finished 67th in the FedExCup and earned more than $1 million in a season for the first time ($1,022,763).

Bateman secured his victory by curling in a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole that kept him out of a playoff. Woody Austin, Jason Gore and Justin Leonard tied for second.

Brian Bateman, the 2007 Buick Open winner, returns this week to defend the title he won in dramatic fashion with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole. Bateman was one of 12 players to claim his first PGA Tour title in 2007. This season, six players -- Brian Gay (Mayakoba Golf Classic), Greg Kraft (Puerto Rico Open), Andres Romero (Zurich Classic of New Orleans), Johnson Wagner (Shell Houston Open), Anthony Kim (Wachovia Championship) and Ryuji Imada (AT&T Classic) -- are first-time winners.

In the history of the Buick Open, there have been 13 players in their 20s win this event. The first to do it was Billy Casper in 1958, with Tiger Woods, at 26 years, 7 months, 12 days, the last. Woods won in 2002.

In 1958, Buick became the first corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour, a relationship that continues today. On Wednesday, June 25, Buick will be hosting a ceremony to commemorate its 50th year of the Buick Open. Numerous people associated with the event, including PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem, 2007 Buick Open champion Brian Bateman and 1958 Buick Open champion Billy Casper are expected to be on hand.

In 2007, Brian Bateman became the first Buick Open champion to win with a birdie on the final hole since Rocco Mediate did it in 2000.

Jim Furyk tied for fifth last year to record his eighth career top-10 at the Buick Open. Furyk's eight is a tournament record, one better than the seven recorded by Julius Boros and Tiger Woods.

A total of five former Buick Open champions finished in the top 10 in 2007. They were Justin Leonard and Woody Austin (tied for second), Jim Furyk and Scott Verplank (tied for fifth) and Kenny Perry (tied for 10th). Last year marked the fifth consecutive where a minimum of three past champions finished in the top 10 at the Buick Open.

Jason Gore tied for second a year ago, his best PGA Tour finish since he won the 2005 84 Lumber Classic. Gore fired rounds of 71-66-70-67 to finish one stroke behind winner Brian Bateman.

Jim Furyk's rounds of 66-68-71-70 a year ago extended his streak to 37 consecutive below-par rounds at the Buick Open. The only time Furyk carded an above-par score at this event came in the third round in 1997 (3-over 75). Furyk has recorded par-or-better scores in 51 of 52 rounds at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club and is 178-under par for his career at this event.

Stewart Cink picked up his first victory of the 2008 season after contending in numerous events all season. His win at the Travelers Championship last week moved him from seventh to third in the FedExCup standings. He is 901 points behind Phil Mickelson, who holds down the second position. Tiger Woods continues to lead, with 22,695 points. Justin Leonard is in fourth, with Kenny Perry in fifth.

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