Reigning US Open champion Payne Stewart, three-time major winner Nick Price, big-hitting John Daly and one of the greatest names in the history of golf, Tom Watson, will lead the star-studded line-up for this year's Gillette Tour Challenge Championship at Mid Ocean Club.

The 18-hole event, featuring stars from the PGA, Senior PGA and LPGA Tours, and now in its third year, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 5.

A full field of 24 players -- eight teams of three consisting of one player from each Tour -- has yet to be finalised, although many of those who have confirmed will be making return visits.

Stewart, who in June sunk a 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Pinehurst to clinch his second US Open crown, has played in the Gillette and its predecessor, the Merrill Lynch Shoot-out, both hosted by Mid Ocean.

Price was a member of the winning team in the inaugural Gillette Championship in 1997 and returned last year. And Daly chose Bermuda last October to make his comeback following a string of problems related to his much-publicised battle against alcoholism.

Watson, however, has never played in a tournament on the Island.

But he will write another small chapter of golfing history when he eventually does.

The Kansas City native turns 50 on September 4, making him eligible to play on the Senior Tour. Yet he will compete in Bermuda as a member of the PGA Tour contingent.

One of golf's all-time leading money-winners with more than $10 million pocketed in earnings, Watson is best remembered for his rich vein of form during the late 1970s and early '80s when he won five British Open titles ('75, '77, '80 '82, '83), two Masters championships ('77, '81) and the US Open ('82).

In total he's won more than 40 tournaments around the world, including 34 on the PGA Tour.

Other big names signed up for the October event include defending champions Jim Furyk and Michelle McGann, although the third member of their triumphant team in 1998, Lee Trevino, won't be back.

Hale Irwin, the all-time leading money-winner on the Senior Tour, will also return as will Jim Colbert, Graham Marsh and Jay Sigel.

And a popular first-time competitor in the Gillette will be New England's Dana Quigley, no stranger to Bermuda.

As a club pro, Quigley won the annual Belmont Invitation for three straight years, from 1988 to 1990, and still shares the tournament record of 266.

However, his career only took off when he joined the senior ranks a couple of years ago, since when he's won two Tour events and more than a million dollars.

From the LPGA, McGann will be joined by the three leading money-winners this year, Karrie Webb, Julie Inkster and Meg Mallon as well Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez and Swedish superstar Annika Sorenstam, both of whom will be making return visits.

Also lined up are Lori Kane and Dottie Pepper will Sally Little named as alternate.

From the PGA Tour, Billy Andrade and Scott Hoch have also confirmed while organisers await a response from Fred Couples. Tommy Armour III is standing by as first alternate.

Dave Stockton, the former US Ryder Cup captain, will be among the Seniors arriving but a question mark remains over Walter Morgan and Hugh Baiocchi, who have both been invited. Jim Thorpe is the first alternate.

As usual the main Tuesday tournament, with a total purse of $1.8 million -- by far the biggest offered for any Bermuda sporting event -- will be preceded on the Monday by a Pro-Am featuring guests and clients invited by Gillette.

Bermuda bound: Tom Watson, considered one of golf's all-time greats, is among the field for October's Tour Challenge.

Return visit: US Open champion Payne Stewart will make his third consecutive appearance in the Gillette tournament.