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GREENSBORO — It's a long shot — something tantamount to, say, a 59-year-old winning the British Open — but tournament officials would like to invite Tom Watson to next month's Wyndham Championship.

Tournament director Mark Brazil said Wednesday he will contact Watson in the coming weeks to gauge his interest.

"I don't have my hopes that he'll accept, but it would be an incredible story if he did," Brazil said. "I think lot of people would show up for him in support and to show their appreciation."

Watson, of course, came within an 8-foot putt on the 72nd hole Sunday at Turnberry of producing one of sports' most memorable moments. But when his par putt fell short, so, too, did his bid for a sixth Claret Jug.

He lost to Stewart Cink in a four-hole playoff.

Watson played in Greensboro's PGA Tour event three times — most recently in 1993 — but it's unlikely he would make a fourth trip. He's a regular on the Champions Tour and for the past six years has played in the Jeld-Wen Tradition, which is contested the same week as the Wyndham.

Watson hasn't played a PGA Tour event since finishing tied for 19th at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 2007.

And yet there might be one compelling reason for Watson to play here: Sedgefield Country Club.

The course is a friendly 7,130 yards. Just as important, Sedgefield's Donald Ross-designed layout comes as close to links golf as any other course remaining on the PGA Tour's schedule this year. Golfers have the option of attacking the flag stick or running their ball up to the green — Watson's strength.

Watson may be a long shot, but David Duval, another golfer enjoying a renaissance, appears certain to be in Greensboro next month.

Duval, who finished second at last month's U.S. Open, was one of four golfers who committed Wednesday to play in the Wyndham. Brian Gay, who has already won twice this year on the PGA Tour, and Wake Forest alums Webb Simpson and Bill Haas, also committed.

Brazil said he's hoping to land a few bigger names after meeting with players in three weeks at the Bridgestone Invitational.

Committing to play in a tournament does not guarantee an appearance. Golfers have until the Friday before a tournament starts to withdraw.

The Wyndham is coming off one of its strongest fields in recent memory. Last year's event attracted Paul Casey, Vijay Singh, John Daly and eventual winner Carl Pettersson.

Brazil thinks this year's field will be stronger.

"I think we'll beat it," he said of last year's field. "The players embraced the course and word is spreading on that, but also the new format with the FedEx Cup, these guys are realizing if they play our event they've got a better chance of striking it big in the fall."

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