Being organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational features in the official money list of both the US PGA Tour and the European Tour . It has been held at the par-70 Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio since it started in 1976 and is one of the annual World Golf Championships for male professional golfers. The tournament's name has been changed a number of times due to the change in sponsors.
- World Series of Golf (1976-83)
- NEC World Series of Golf (1984-1998)
- WCG-NEC Invitational Winners (1999-2005)
- WGC-Bridgestone Invitational (2006- )
The current event has a field of about 75 players, which is approximately half that for a standard professional golf event. The reason for this is that invitations are sent only to a few golfers in the world. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- Members of the last US and European Ryder Cup teams.
- Members of the previous US and International Presidents Cup teams
There are other criteria for qualification also.
Tiger Woods will be on a hat trick when he tees off here in 2007. In 2006, he defeated Stewart Cink in a playoff. The total prize money for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational was $7,500,000 with the winner getting $ 1,300,000. It was Woos' 52 nd victory on the PGA Tour.
Past winners
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational has been a happy hunting ground for Tiger Woods. He has won here five times, including a hat trick from 1999 to 2001. Besides him, a host of top players have won here. Jack Nicklaus had won the inaugural event. Here is a list of players who have won here since it became part of the European Tour .
- Tiger Woods 2006-05; 2001-1999
- Stewart Cink 2004
- Darren Clarke 2003
- Craig Perry 2002
- David Duval 1998
- Greg Norman 1997; 1995
- Phil Mickelson 1996
- Jose Maria Olazabal 1994; 1990
- Fulton Allen 1993
- Craig Stadler 1992
- Tom Purtzer 1991
- David Frost 1989
- Mike Reid 1988
- Curtis Strange 1987
- Dan Pohl 1986
- Roger Maltbie 1985
- Denis Watson 1984
- Nick price 1983
- Craig Stadler 1982
- Bill Rogres 1981
- Tom Watson 1980
- Lon Hinkle 1979
- Gil Morgan 1978
- Lanny Wadkins 1977
- Jack Nicklaus 1976
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational has been an annual feature of both the European Tour and the US PGA Tour since its inception in 1976. As we continue on this tour we will learn about the other tournaments in the European Tour .
