Some of the biggest names in professional golf are queuing up for a place in the Merrill Lynch Shoot-out final which will be held at Bermuda's Mid Ocean Club for the second successive year in September.

Already confirmed for the exclusive 10-man field are three players who competed last year -- defending champion and this month's US Open winner Corey Pavin, 1995 Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, and Peter Jacobsen, fourth on the PGA Tour money list this year with two Tour victories under his belt.

Among those who have expressed a strong interest in joining that trio are Nick Price, the Zimbabwean currently ranked number two in the world, Payne Stewart, Fred Couples, Curtis Strange and Davis Love, all of them household names.

Craig Stadler and Brett Ogle who with Pavin made up the final three in last year's half million dollar event, are also "keen to return.'' This year's tournament will be played on Tuesday, September 26, just two days after the finish of the Ryder Cup at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York.

The field will comprise of seven sponsors' choices plus the three players who finish on top of the standings at the completion of the weekly PGA Tour Merrill Lynch Shoot-outs.

As of this week, the top three, in order, are Kenny Perry, currently ranked 11th on the Tour money list with $634,000 this year, Scott Hoch, ranked 24th with $365,000 and David Duval, ranked eighth with $705,000.

They appear to have virtually guaranteed a place in the Shoot-out final.

Said local coordinator Michael Dunkley yesterday: "If they play in the remaining Shoot-outs -- and I believe there are only two left -- they are pretty much assured a place.

"Pavin, Crenshaw and Jacobsen were such hits last year, Merrill Lynch felt they had to include them, and that leaves just four sponsors' picks.

"We have a list of about ten names and they're among the top names in the world. Payne Stewart, Fred Couples, Nick Price, Curtis Strange and Davis Love have all said they would like to play.

"Craig Stadler wants to return, and Brett Ogle wants to come back in the worst possible way. They're both on the list, but we want to try and get a different mixture. That's why we're pursuing people like Price and Couples.

"I would imagine within about 30 days we'll have the field locked up.'' Already preparation at the Tucker's Town course has begun and dozens of club members have offered their services as marshalls and volunteers.

"After last year everybody's keen to get involved,'' added Dunkley. "It's the perfect tournament for Bermuda because there's really not much tax on the facility. The pros come in, practise on Sunday, play in a Pro-Am on Monday and play in the tournament on Tuesday. Members aren't really greatly inconvenienced.

"They get involved during the tournament, and they get to see the best players in the world.'' The Shoot-out is played over nine holes with all ten players teeing off together at the first. On each hole one player is eliminated, either by shooting the highest score or, in the event of a tie, by means of a putt-off or chip-off.

Last year's tournament saw Pavin defeat Stadler at the final hole.

BERMUDA BOUND -- Ben Crenshaw (left) and Corey Pavin (right) are both confirmed for September's Merrill Lynch Shoot-out.