Shaun Micheel’’s victory in the US PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, the fourth and final Major Championship of the season, has earned him a place in the field for the HSBC World Match Play Championship where 12 players will compete for the largest first prize in European and US Tour history.
A £1 million first prize is on offer for the HSBC World Match Play Championship, which takes place over the West Course at Wentworth Club from October 16-19. Micheel joins Ben Curtis, Jim Furyk and Mike Weir as the four Major Champions from 2003 who have qualified.
Ernie Els qualifies as the defending champion, having beaten Sergio Garcia in the 36 hole final last year. Els's consistent performance in all four majors would have earned him qualification through the ranking list, his final position in seventh ensuring that another European Tour Member and fellow South African, the 11th ranked Tim Clark, will be rewarded for his brave third place finish at Oak Hill with a place in the field at
Wentworth.
Other European Tour Members to have qualified are Stephen Leaney, runner-up in the US Open Championship, and 1997 World Match Play Champion Vijay Singh.
The field will comprise 12 players based upon the following qualification criteria:
Category 1 - The Defending Champion.
Category 2 - The World Number One.
Category 3 - Leading ten players from the HSBC Major Championships Ranking, not otherwise qualified.
Should any of the 12 players be unavailable to play, the balance of the field will be taken in order from the HSBC Major Championships Ranking. The International Advisory Committee also has the discretion to select a maximum of two players, in exceptional circumstances.
