South Africa tour announces $10 million WGC event

“I don’t see it as a first step,” he said. “It’s a continuation of where we are, with independent tours trying to do (things) more cooperatively.”

Thanks to Schwartzel’s first major victory, none of the major titles are held by an American. Countryman Louis Oosthuizen holds the British Open trophy and another South African, Tim Clark, will defend the Players Championship _ considered the “fifth major” and currently the richest event with a $9.5 million purse.

“The internationals now hold the power in world golf,” Tindall said. “For how long, we don’t know.”

The Tournament of Hope will be the fifth WGC event on the calendar. The world’s 70 top-ranked players qualify for WGC tournaments and Tindall was certain the best in the world would travel to South Africa.

The prize money was “too good to turn down,” he said.

He also outlined the Tournament of Hope forming part of a campaign to raise awareness for Aids and poverty, with pop concerts and cycling races in places like Australia and Japan planned to coincide with the tournament in South Africa.

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AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson contributed to this report from Jacksonville, Fla.

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