High value at Volvo Masters

Record prize money of €3.5m has been confirmed for the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama from October 30 to November 2.

The increased prize fund, a rise of €363,300 matches the purse of the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth. The winner will receive €583,330.

For the first time this year entry to the Volvo Masters is restricted to the leading 60 players in the Order of Merit.

The winners share is greater than the total prize fund at the inaugural Volvo Masters won by Nick Faldo in 1988.

Commenting on the increase Mel Pyatt, CEO of Volvo Event Management, said: “There are many elements that go towards creating great tournaments and prize money is obviously amongst the most important.

Ken Schofield, executive director of the European Tour, said: “We are delighted that the prize fund for the 2003 Volvo Masters Andalucia has increased by 11%.

“It is reassuring to know that two of the most highly sought-after titles on the European tour are now worth a combined €7m, with the first prizes jointly totalling in excess of one million.”

Last year Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie shared the title after a two-hole sudden-death play-off failed to separate the pair, who had tied on a three under par total of 281. Due to the fading light, Langer and Montgomerie agreed to share the title.

Montgomerie said: “It is great news that the event will be staged once again at Valderrama with an increased prize fund.

“It takes a lot of money and effort to produce a golf course like that and it is a wonderful place to play our finale at the end of the year.

“I am fully behind the decision to change the qualification process this year so that it is just the top 60 players.”