Charl Schwartzel won the inaugural event of the Saudi-backed rebel series LIV Golf on Saturday, when Patrick Reed became the last known player to register.
South African Schwartzel finished his third and final round at the Centurion Club on the outskirts of London, seven below par, a shot ahead of compatriot Hennie du Plessis, to win the first prize of 5.6 million of Australian dollars.
Schwartzel’s team, Stinger GC, also won the event component of the event, which means it also takes home and $ 1.05 million more.
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“I made a serious mistake in the 12 that put me back, but I just had to stay calm and put that at home,” the 2011 Masters champion said.
But he added: “I’m proud of how I stayed and it’s a great feeling.”
Earlier, Reed became the 19th member of the US PGA Tour to join the separatist circuit, with 17 competing in this week’s first event, suspended for the Tour shortly after the game began in St Albans on Thursday.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said “the same fate is true” for all players competing in future LIV events, with Reed and Bryson DeChambeau ready to play the second event in Oregon later this month.
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Reed, 31, who won the Master in 2018 and has nine professional titles in his charge, is the ninth grand champion to join the rebel series.
“The growing staff of LIV Golf players is getting even stronger today with a player of the caliber of Patrick Reed,” said LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman.
“He has a proven track record as one of the most consistent competitors in professional golf and adds another great presence to our tournaments.”
Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson and former world number one Dustin Johnson, among other stars, took part in the inaugural $ 25 million event near London.
Organizers have pledged to “overfeed” golf, offering 54-hole tournaments without cuts, simultaneous “shotgun starts” and an element of equipment.
Golfers who have signed up for the LIV series have faced difficult questions about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and have been accused of greed in pursuing the great rewards on offer.
This year’s eight LIV tournaments are worth $ 255 million, with plans to expand the series over the next few years.
Mickelson did not dispel rumors that he was receiving a $ 200 million fee to compete, while Johnson was receiving $ 150 million.