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GREENSBORO - The Wyndham Championship lost one of its star attractions Monday when two-time champion Rocco Mediate withdrew from this week's PGA Tour event, citing exhaustion.

Mediate was one of three golfers to withdraw on the tournament's first day back at Sedgefield Country Club. Angel Cabrera, the 2007 U.S. Open champion, and J.B. Holmes also pulled out without offering a reason.

But it was Mediate who dealt the biggest blow. Mediate is a popular figure in Greensboro, having won the tournament in 1993 and 2002 when it was played at Forest Oaks Country Club. His fame only grew after his epic Monday playoff battle with Tiger Woods at the U.S. Open in June.

Tournament officials hoped to capitalize on Mediate's celebrity by trumpeting his return in newspaper ads and TV commercials and on billboards.

Tournament Director Mark Brazil said he spoke with Mediate early this month and the golfer said he was excited to be coming back. But Mediate has played in five tournaments in the eight weeks since the U.S. Open , including the PGA Championship, where he shot a final-round 85 on Sunday.

"Clearly he's tired, so we understand his decision," Brazil said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to get him next year."

A year ago, several prominent players - including Davis Love III, K.J. Choi and Boo Weekly - withdrew in the week preceding the Wyndham. This year's event still has Love, John Daly, Vijay Singh, David Duval, Zach Johnson and 2007 champ Brandt Snedeker.

"When you look at our field, it's so much better than last year," Brazil said. "I'm still very excited about this field and the course they're going to play on."

Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com