John Cook and Kenny Perry, both currently among the top 20 on this year's PGA Tour money winners' list, have been added to next month's Merrill Lynch Shoot-out field -- leaving just one spot to be filled.

And coordinator Larry Sanford was still hopeful yesterday that the remaining sponsors' exemption would be taken by rising star Tiger Woods.

Sanford confirmed last week that organisers of the Shoot-out championship, to be played at Mid Ocean Club for the third successive year on October 15, were keen to bring the 20-year-old Woods to the Island where he would undoubtedly be a huge crowd favourite.

And had he hung onto to his lead in Sunday's final round of the Quad City Classic in Illinois, his third Tour event since turning pro, he would almost certainly have accepted the Bermuda invitation.

However, needing a victory in one of four remaining PGA events or a total of around $150,000 in prize money -- he currently has $82,194 -- to avoid a trip to Tour qualifying school this fall, the three-time US Amateur Champion will continue to devote all of his attention to the Tour over the next month.

"Believe me, we realise just how popular Tiger would be in Bermuda, and we're still seeing what we can do,'' said Sanford. "Had he won on Sunday our chances would have been much brighter.

"But we're still looking at all the possibilities. There's one spot remaining and we'll be looking to fill it by some time next week at the latest.'' Woods went into Sunday's final round of the Quad City event with a one stroke lead but saw his hopes of victory disappear with a quadruple bogey at the fourth hole and a four putt on the seventh. He eventually finished four strokes behind the winner, veteran Ed Fiori.

Meanwhile, Cook and Perry virtually complete what is an all-American field for the Shoot-out with Kentucky-born Perry looking to make amends for last year when he was eliminated at Mid Ocean's first hole.

Despite a dreadful performance in Sunday's singles of the Presidents Cup where he was crushed seven and six by South African David Frost -- the heaviest defeat in Cup history -- Perry has enjoyed a successful year on Tour, lying 14th on the money winners' list with $781,079 so far.

California resident Cook has won twice on Tour this year -- the St.Jude Classic in June and the CVS Charity Classic in July. He currently lies 18th on the money winners' list with $716,035.

They join a field which already includes defending champion Curtis Strange, Payne Stewart, Craig Stadler, Paul Azinger, Scott Hoch, Woody Austin and Jim Furyk.

On stand-by for the final place are Australian Brett Ogle, who has played the last two years in Bermuda, and American Mark McCumber. Billy Andrade, who will play in the Bermuda Open which begins at Port Royal the same week as the Shoot-out, has been named as first alternate should any of the players fall sick or get injured while in Bermuda.

Zimbawean Nick Price, who was approached by Merrill Lynch last week, turned down the offer because of a prior commitment to his sponsors.

Tiger loses his cool -- Page 20 PHTOO HE'S BACK -- Kenny Perry, who had a disappointing showing at last year's Merrill Lynch Shoot-out, has confirmed he will take part this year. John Cook is also in while Tiger Woods remains questionable.