Donald Trump will sponsor a one million-dollar golf showdown next May in the Grenadines, a 100-player event open to both men and women who are not members of the most elite global golf tours.
Trump announced the Trump Million Dollar Invitational in new York on Tuesday, unveiling plans for the richest tournament ever staged outside the PGA and LPGA tours on an island where he sells villas for five million dollars.
The $1,5-million event, which features a $15 000 entry fee that will cover the total purse, is not for the likes of Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam, however.
Entrants must be over 18 — knocking out teen prodigy Michelle Wie — and not current members of the PGA, LPGA or European Tours. Over-50 Champions Tour and developmental Nationwide players are also banned.
Women are eligible and they would be allowed to play from the women’s tees nearer the holes compared to those of male rivals.
Ability and human interest tales will be part of the selection criteria for the May 21-26 event, which features a 54-hole stroke-play qualifier that leads to the top 10 finishers competing in a nine-hole shootout on the final day.
One player will be eliminated on each hole with ties broken in skills competition until only two players remain. They will play a final hole worth one million dollars to the winner. – AFP
