DUBAI – The European Tour will stage the richest golf tournament in the world when Dubai hosts a US$10m season-ending event from 2009.
The event adds to Dubai’s growing reputation as the capital of world sporting events. It already hosts the world’s richest horse race, the US$6 million Dubai World Cup.
The world’s top 60 golfers will compete at the end-of-season finale, named the Dubai World Championship, with the winner set to pocket $1,666,660.
The European Tour will divide a further $10m among its top 15, and rename its Order of Merit the Race to Dubai.
The winner of the race, to include the new event, will receive a $2m bonus.
“The sums involved are staggering and add to the already rampant inflation that dictates golf prize money,” said BBC Radio 5 Live golf correspondent Iain Carter.
European Tour chief executive George O’Grady added, “It will bring a new dimension to the Tour.
“It will create great drama and theatre throughout the year as all the best players in the world are given the opportunity to compete in the world’s richest tournament.”
The European Tour’s new international headquarters will be established at Jumeirah Golf Estates, which will host the inaugural Dubai World Championship from November 19-22, 2009.
Dubai is currently home to the International Cricket Council, the game’s ruling body.
