A record prize fund of €4.5million (approx £3,600,000), the biggest outside of the four Major Championships and the individual World Golf Championships in 2008, will be at stake for The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, from May 22-25.
The 2008 Champion will receive €750,000 (approx £600,000), which is €25,000 more than Denmark’s Anders Hansen collected for his second BMW PGA Championship success in 2007 when he beat England’s Justin Rose in a sudden-death play-off.
This year’s total prize fund represents a €150,000 increase on 2007 while prize money has grown by €500,000 in the three years since the inaugural BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in 2005, when reigning US Open Champion Angel Cabrera picked up the first prize of €666,000 after claiming a two shot victory over Ireland’s Paul McGinley.
In 2006, when England’s David Howell became the first English winner of the event since Nick Faldo’s record breaking fourth title in 1989, the prize fund stood at €4,250,000 and last year it increased again to €4,350,000, with Hansen winning €725,000 – almost €200,000 more than he won for his previous victory in 2002.
The 2008 BMW PGA Championship will boast one of the strongest fields on The European Tour International Schedule, with many of the world’s best players in action over the famous West Course at Wentworth Club. All four days will be broadcast live on BBC Television.
Tickets are now on sale with special prices available in advance via www.europeantourtickets.com or by calling +44 (0) 800 023 2557.
European Tour www.europeantour.com