South African golf player Charl Schwartzel won the inaugural event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series at The Centurion Club in Hertfordshire on Saturday earning a whopping $4.75 million in prize money.
Schwartzel, a former Masters champion, defeated compatriot Hennie Du Plessis claiming a one-stroke victory after he came into the final round holding a three-shot lead.
Schwartzel’s winnings include a $4 million prize for his individual victory and a further $750,000 for being part of the winning team. Du Plessis earned $2.875 million for his second place finish.
Stinger GC, which included Schwartzel, du Plessis, Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen beat Crushers GC in the team competition finishing 14 shots clear and bagging a $3 million purse.
The win meant Schwartzel collected more prize money from winning the 54-hole event played over three days than he had from the last four years combined.
The 37-year-old described winning the tournament as a “great feeling” after holding off the challenge of du Plessis.
“Honestly, I’m relieved. It was tough finishing there,” Schwartzel said.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think we could play for that much money in golf.”
Though Schwartzel won close to thrice the amount he claimed for his major success at Augusta National in 2011, he said winning a major will always remain something special.
“Money is one thing, but there you’re playing for prestige, history.”
“Winning a major will always top anything you do.”
The second stop of the eight-event LIV Golf series will be at Pumpkin Ridge GC in Portland, Oregon, on June 30-July 2.
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)
