Tiger Woods, adding to his amazing golf legacy, announced details here on Wednesday about his new US PGA invitational event, one the superstar hopes will extend his charity work to global levels.

The National, with a $6 million purse, will be played July 5-8, most likely at Congressional Country Club, host of the 1997 US Open. The Tiger Woods Foundation will organize the event and serve as the benefit charity.

"This is a dream come true," Woods said. "It's something that happened so quickly. It's something I wanted to have the opportunity to do one day. I'm lucky enough to do it during my playing career.

"I've never been this busy."

Woods lammented that his father Earl, who died last May of cancer, was unable to see this element of his dream for his son's legacy become reality.

"My goal one day in my future was to host an event on the PGA Tour. This is a pretty momentous occasion. I just wish my father could have been here to see it. It was a dream he wanted for us," Woods said.

"We thought it was the best platform to grow awareness for what we're trying to do with the foundation. We believe it's the springboard to go global."

The National will be staged over the July 4 Independence Day holiday weekend each year, placing it in a prime spot two weeks before the British Open, and feature an invitational field, likely with more than 100 top golfers.

"It was a no-brainer with my father having served in the nation's military forces," Woods said, noting his father's Green Beret duty in the Vietnam War.

Woods plans to play the National every year but might not tee off this July because that is when his wife Elin is expecting the birth of their first child.

"I plan on playing," Woods said. "A lot of that is dependent on the birth of our child. Obviously that's the most important thing in our lives right now. It's my intention to play. You will have to take that up with Elin."

The National replaces The International on the US PGA calendar. The Colorado event folded last month for lack of a sponsor.

Finding sponsors for the many US events where Woods does not play has become tougher in recent years. Woods played in only the minimum 15 events last year after a career-high 21 in 2005.

The National will take one more bite out of his schedule and Woods gave no hint he will play more events, adding to the strain for directors of othe events.

"I play a pretty limited schedule. My focus is to win the tournaments I play. That takes a lot of energy," Woods said. "We're excited about doing something in the DC area. That's our main focus right now."

Woods similarly dismissed notions that he should become more politically active even as he prepared to meet with US lawmakers.

"I don't know what the future will bring after my playing days," Woods said. "Right now I have my hands full putting the little white ball in the hole."

Woods also anounced plans to establish a Tiger Woods Learning Center in Washington similar to one he has opened in Southern California.

"Our impact, I think, will be pretty significant," Woods said. "It gives the love and support. I always have love to go home to. Not everyone has that."

US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem was confident that a vote later this month by Congressional board members will bring final approval to host the National but noted there are alternatives if needed.

"We feel very comfortable about the way it's going," Finchem said. "The energy at Congressional is very positive. We have an awful lot of work to do in a very short time."

Finchem compared Woods' event to similar ones hosted by retired legends Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, predicting it will be "one of the most prestigous events in golf."

"Tiger Woods is not just a great competitor. He has changed the face of golf," Finmchem said. "He has that same amount of fire, drive, focus and commitment to making this tournament as good as it can be."

(China Daily via AFP?March 9, 2007)