Players on top pro tours won't be allowed to enter
LAS VEGAS -- The Wynn Las Vegas resort-casino will host "The Ultimate Game" golf finals next year, with the winner taking home the biggest prize in golf, company officials said Tuesday.
In the tournament, players pay a $50,000 entry fee, then compete for the pooled funds. The winner will take home $2 million.
Organizers noted the winner's purse was the best in golf, topping The Players Championship at $1.44 million and the British Open at $1.21 million.
Those who win at least two match-play rounds will win back their initial stakes. Half of the starting pool of 160 players will be eliminated in each of the first four rounds of match play.
The final 10 players will compete in a two-day, 36-hole winner-take-all stroke-play competition June 6-8 at the Wynn Las Vegas Golf Course and Country Club.
Players on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour or senior tour are not eligible.
"This is for your club pros, your young up-and-coming players -- people with a gambling streak to them and a lot of confidence in their golf game," publicist Brian Robin said.
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Steve Bartkowski was among those who organized last year's inaugural event, called the "Big Stakes Match Play Championship" and played at the CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite, Nev.
It was won by the team of David Ping of La Habra, Calif., and Garth Mulroy, a former North Carolina State player from South Africa. They took home a combined $3 million for a $100,000 entry fee.
Organizers hope to have the event televised by a major network, Robin said.
Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press
