September 8, 2006 – The HSBC World Match Play Championship at Wentworth is set to break its 42-year attendance record after selling an unprecedented number of advance tickets.
With the tournament scheduled for a week before the Ryder Cup and the appearance of World Number One Tiger Woods for the first time since 1998, there has been a 60% increase in advance ticket sales this year.
"The field for this year’s HSBC World Match Play is arguably one of the strongest ever assembled," said Giles Morgan, HSBC’s Head of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship.
"The prospect of seeing the world’s best players as well as a few potential Ryder Cup match ups has certainly caught the public’s imagination and we’re expecting a very busy tournament next week."
The field contains six of the world’s top ten golfers on display, including seven Major Winners boasting 21 Major titles between them.
The demand for corporate tickets has also increased, recorded at three times last year’s levels with three out of the four days (Thurs, Fri & Sat) already sold out.
The HSBC World Match Play Championship takes place at Wentworth from September 14-17.
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS:
HSBC World Match Play Championship 2006 – Confirmed Field:
Angel Cabrera (Argentina)
Michael Campbell (New Zealand)
Paul Casey (England)
Tim Clark (South Africa)
Luke Donald (England)
Ernie Els (South Africa)
Jim Furyk (USA)
Retief Goosen (South Africa)
David Howell (England)
Robert Karlsson (Sweden)
Simon Khan (England)
Shaun Micheel (USA)
Colin Montgomerie (Scotland)
Adam Scott (Australia)
Mike Weir (Canada)
Tiger Woods (USA)
Prize money for the 2006 Championship will be £2.44 million with the following breakdown:
Winner £1,000,000
Runner-up £ 400,000
Losing Semi-Finalist (x 2) £ 120,000
Losing Quarter-Finalist (x 4) £ 80,000
First Round Loser (x 8) £ 60,000
BBC Coverage:
Thursday
From 10.00 BBC Interactive via the red button
13.00 – 17.15 BBC2
Friday
From 10.00 BBC Interactive via the red button
13.30-17.10 BBC2
Saturday
From 10.00 BBC Interactive via the red button
13.00-16.30 BBC1 Grandstand
16.30-17.30 BBC2
Sunday
From 9.15 BBC Interactive via the red button
12.00-13.00 BBC2
14.00- 17.40 BBC2 Grandstand
Contact:
HSBC Head of Sports Sponsorship & Marketing
Giles Morgan
+ 44 (0)20 7992 1386
HSBC Golf Press Office
Anthony Scammell
+ 44 (0)20 7413 3231
IMG
PR Manager
Michele Mair
+ 44 (0)20 8233 5177
