Golf is a global game.

It's evident at this week's Shell Houston Open, which has its largest international player field in its 61-year history.

One out of every four golfers teeing off Thursday was born outside the U. S. There are 36 golfers representing 17 foreign countries in the Shell Houston Open, which has a long tradition of international winners. There have been 7 SHO winners from Australia, including defending champion Stuart Appleby. On the PGA TOUR and the four golf majors, only the British Open has more Aussie winners with 9 champions.