PGA European Tour

HILTON HEAD, SC - APRIL 16: Zach Johnson watches his tee shot on the 13th hole during the final round of the Verizon Heritage on April 16, 2007 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Due to high winds the day before that suspended play, the final round was rescheduled for a Monday morning finish. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Verizon Heritage golf tournament is sanctioned by the PGA European Tour – the European counterpart to America’s PGA tour. The PGA European Tour was introduced in 1972 and consisted of 20 tournaments (12 in the UK, one in the Republic of Ireland and seven in other major European countries). The total prize fund for the Tour in 1972 was £250,000. In 2006, the total prize fund for the tour had increased to an amazing £81,806,797.

In 2008, the PGA European Tour will feature 52 tournaments played in over 30 countries. The Tour opens and closes in China. The opening event will be the HSBC Champions tournament to be held in Shanghai from November 8 to 11, 2007. The closing event will be the Omega Mission Hills World Cup tournament to be held from November 27 to 30, 2008 at the Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzhen.

The top 10 players on the European Order of Merit as of 14 October 2007:

  1. Ernie Els (South Africa)
  2. Padraig Harrington (Ireland)
  3. Justin Rose (England)
  4. Henrik Stenson (Sweden)
  5. Niclas Fasth (Sweden)
  6. Angel Cabrera (Argentina)
  7. Andres Romero (Argentina)
  8. Soren Hansen (Denmark)
  9. Retief Goosen (South Africa)
  10. Paul Casey (England)

The PGA European Tour also offers top European golfers a chance to compete in the Ryder Cup, depending on their performances throughout the year. The European Ryder Cup 12-man team to face the American Ryder Cup 12-man team will be selected as follows:

  • The leading five players on the Ryder Cup world points list as of Sunday, August 31, 2008 or at the conclusion of the Johnny Walker Championships at Gleneagles, whichever is the latter date.
  • The leading five players, not otherwise qualified (from the above) from the Ryder Cup European points list as of Sunday, August 31, 2008 or at the conclusion of the Johnny Walker Championships at Gleneagles, whichever is the latter date.
  • The European Team’s Captain, Nick Faldo, will select the remaining two players as the “Captain’s Picks”.

As of 16 October, 2007, the highest European-ranked golfer on the official World Golf Ranking list is the Irishman, Padraig Harrington, who is ranked number 7 in the world.

Three European names stand out in the history of the World Golf Rankings:

  • Nick Faldo (England) - ranked number 1 in the world for 97 weeks.
  • Seve Ballesteros (Spain) - ranked number 1 in the world for 61 weeks.
  • Ian Woosnam (Wales) - ranked number 1 in the world for 50 weeks.

Which top player do you think will take the trophy at the 2008 Verizon Heritage golf tournament? For the best live golf betting experience, we recommend William Hill.

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We recommend William Hill for the best golf betting experience.