Toshiba Classic

Haas, Hoch withdraw

Jay Haas, the 2007 Toshiba Classic champion, will miss the Toshiba Classic for the second straight year and for the same reason. Scott Hoch, an 11-time PGA Tour winner, also withdrew from the tournament, which starts Friday at Newport Beach County Club.

Haas’ daughter is competing for a state title in basketball in South Carolina. That’s why he missed last year.

He has had success at the Toshiba Classic. He won it in 2007 when he broke Hale Irwin’s five-year tournament record, finishing 19-under-par 194 (65-64-65), two better than Irwin’s mark. He had only one bogey in the 54 holes.

In 2008, Haas nearly became the Toshiba’s first repeat winner, but he lost to Bernhard Langer in a seven-hole playoff.

Hoch withdrew because of health reasons.

Jay Sigel, who has won eight times on the Champions Tour, and Fulton Allem have now entered into the field for the Toshiba Classic.

In addition, Ted Schulz, Dick Mast and Kirk Hanefeld shot four-under-par 67, 68 and 69, respectively, Monday at Goose Creek Golf Club in Mira Loma to earn qualifying berths in the Toshiba Classic.

Hanefeld birdied the second playoff hole to edge Rod Spittle and capture the final qualifying spot.

— From staff reports