Charl Schwartzel (AFP)
South Africa on Tuesday announced a five-year deal to stage a $10 million World Golf Championship event featuring the top 70 players vying for what's touted as the richest prize in the game.
South Africa on Tuesday announced a five-year deal to stage a $10 million World Golf Championship event featuring the top 70 players vying for what's touted as the richest prize in the game.
"This is, without doubt, the most significant milestone in the history of professional golf in South Africa," Sunshine Tour commissioner Gareth Tindall said in a statement.
"What is even more significant is that we have the commitment that we will host this World Golf Championships event for a period of five years," said Tindall.
He told media that the $10 million tournament, to start in 2012, would be the richest single event in the sport and have positive implications for the game and the country, according to the Sapa news agency.
The championship, which will be known as the Tournament of Hope, will be used to create awareness of poverty and AIDS in Africa, he said.
No dates or venues for the event have been confirmed, said Tindall.
The announcement came after local champion Charl Schwartzel lifted the 75th Masters trophy in Augusta on Sunday.
South Africa has produced top golfers like Gary Player Ernie Els and last year's British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
© 2011 AFP/sid
