5th July, 2012
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are among the big names who are being attracted to participate in a new matchplay event in Turkey.
Woods has reportedly signed a lucrative three-year deal to appear in the World Golf Finals, set to debut nine days after the Ryder Cup, as part of a sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines.
World No 1 Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood are also set to take part in the tournament, which by next year will boast “the richest first prize in golf” – a cool $2.5 million. This year’s winner will have to be content with a cheque for $1.5m.
The event is not sanctioned by any of the existing tours, and is reportedly not being especially well received – though ISM chief executive Chubby Chandler, who is leading the project, is said to be acting in a mediating role.
One of the concessions is that the tournament will run from Tuesday to Friday, thereby not interfering with weekend coverage of the PGA and European Tours.
Additionally, a Turkish Open will be added to the European Tour calendar in April.