PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Masters Champion Bubba Watson, U.S. Open Champion Webb Simpson, Open Champion Ernie Els, and defending Champion Keegan Bradley form the elite foursome that will compete Oct. 22-24, at Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course in the 30th PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
It will be the rookie appearance for both Watson and Simpson, while 2011 PGA Champion Bradley returns to Port Royal Golf Course where he won last year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf title. Els marks his fourth appearance in the season-ending showcase of major champions, having won in 1997 and 2010.
Reigning PGA Champion Rory McIlroy had committed to compete in the BMW Masters, Oct. 25-28, in Shanghai, China, prior to his victory on Aug. 12, in the 94th PGA Championship. The new event was added to the European Tour schedule in April.
Bradley, who tied for third in the PGA Championship at The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C., won the 2011 PGA Grand Slam of Golf by one stroke over 2011 Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel. McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open Champion, finished third; and 2011 Open Champion Darren Clarke was fourth.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features the most difficult qualification requirement in the game – a major championship win. The PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be televised by TNT to a worldwide audience.
Port Royal Golf Course is a 6,842-yard, par-71 public course that opened for play in 1970.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf features a $1.35 million purse, with the winner receiving $600,000, second place $300,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.
TNT’s prime-time broadcast of the event reaches a worldwide audience of 88.9 million U.S. homes and international viewers in more than 100 countries.
The PGA Grand Slam of Golf is hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Port Royal Golf Course, and the Fairmont Southampton Hotel.
The PGA of America
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering world-class championships and innovative programs, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. As The PGA nears its centennial, the PGA brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Julius Mason
561/624-8444
jmason@pgahq.com
Michele Cooper
732/469-5700
michele@mastrocomm.com
