Fred Couples have both declined invitations for the Gillette Tour Challenge Championship scheduled at Mid Ocean Club in less than three weeks' time.

Organisers had been hopeful that the two popular PGA Tour pros would bolster a strong field which already includes John Daly, Nick Price and Tom Watson as well as all of the top money-winners from the PGA Senior and LPGA Tours.

But Stewart, a regular Bermuda visitor who will be a member of the US Ryder Cup team which takes on the Europeans next weekend, and Couples, who competed in the $1.8 million event two years ago, are both committed elsewhere.

Their places have been taken by Tommy Armour III, who was originally listed as first alternate, and Jeff Sluman.

Winner of the PGA Championship in 1988, Sluman is enjoying one of his best years on tour with more than $1.3 million in earnings. He won the second event of the year, the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Armour, whose single Tour success was at the Phoenix Open in 1990, is currently 53rd on the money-list with just over $700,000.

Both will be playing for the first time in the October 5 tournament which pits eight teams of three against each other in a best-ball format over 18 holes.

Defending champions Jim Furyk and Michelle McGann are both returning although the third member of the '98 triumphant trio, Lee Trevino, won't be back.

Teams will be drawn on the night preceding the tournament.

The full line-up: PGA Tour: Jim Furyk, Billy Andrade, Tommy Armour III, John Daly, Scott Hoch, Nick Price, Jeff Sluman, Tom Watson. Alternate: Ben Bates Senior PGA Tour: Hugh Baiocchi, Jim Colbert, Hale Irwin, Graham Marsh, Walter Morgan, Dana Quigley, Jay Sigel, Dave Stockton. Alternate: Jim Thorpe LPGA Tour: Michelle McGann, Juli Inkster, Lori Kane, Nancy Lopez, Meg Mallon, Dottie Pepper, Annika Sorenstam, Karrie Webb. Alternate: Sally Little.