Webb Simpson Earns Invite To PGA Grand Slam
In just his second appearance at the U.S. Open, American Webb Simpson won the championship Sunday becoming the second first-time Major’s Champion to qualify for the 2012 PGA Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda at the Port Royal Golf Course. The other qualifier is 2012 Masters Champion Bubba Watson.
“This year’s U.S. Open further proves that the Grand Slam is the most difficult golf tournament in the world to qualify for,” said David Charles, Senior Director of Championships for the PGA of America.
“Webb Simpson fought off former U.S. Open Champions like Jim Furyk, Graeme McDowell and Ernie Els on Sunday plus he stood up to one of the toughest U.S. Open golf courses ever. Webb has definitely earned his invitation to Bermuda.”
The Grand Slam features the winners of the year’s four major championships – the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The other two qualifiers will be decided in July and August of this year.
The 30th PGA Grand Slam of Golf will be played October 22-24 and broadcast to a worldwide audience on TNT. It will be hosted by the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Port Royal Golf Course and the Fairmont Southampton.
Ticket-carrying fans are allowed to get closer to the pros at the PGA Grand Slam than at any other competitive golf tournament. Because there is only one group during the two-day event spectators are permitted to follow the players down the fairways of every hole – standing just a few feet from the action in some cases.
Andy Burrows, Chairman of the 2012 PGA Grand Slam, said: “Our first two qualifiers are first-time Majors Champions and are some of the most exciting names on the American golf scene. This is a great opportunity to see them up close just as their careers are skyrocketing.”
Webb Simpson, 26, narrowly missed winning the FedEx Cup last year – finishing second – and played on the victorious U.S. President’s Cup team in 2011.
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.
Good luck to him and all that, but this isn’t exactly going to have the tills ringing. Given that the Open tends to throw some oddities, it could be that the PGA needs a big name winner. G-Mac, Luke, Rory, Dustin, Sergio, Phil – anyone except the odious Tiger Woods.