This year''s BMW PGA Championship will boast a record prize fund of €4.5 million (£3.6 million), it has been confirmed.
Beginning on May 22nd at Wentworth Club, the European Tour event now has the largest purse outside of the four Major tournaments and the individual World Golf Championships, Golfbusinessnews.com reports.
A first prize of €750,000 is on offer for this year''s champion - €25,000 more than Anders Hansen received for his playoff victory over Justin Rose at the Surrey course in 2007.
Overall, the prize fund has increased by €150,000 from last year and grown by €500,000 in the three years since the inaugural event at Wentworth, which was won by Angel Cabrera.
Regarded as the flagship event on the European Tour, the tournament is certain to feature many of the world''s top players and will be televised by the BBC.
Yonex golfer Colin Montgomerie won the event in three successive years when it was known at the Volvo PGA Championship, claiming the title in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
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