Tour heralds richest event

The European tour yesterday announced the richest tournament on mainland Europe. Prize money at the 1998 Tournament Players' Championship of Europe is going up from £750,000 to £1.1 million - the largest amount outside Britain - and by 2001, will reach at least £1.4 million.

Sponsoring the event are Europe's largest bank, Deutsche Bank, and the continent's leading software manufacturer SAP. They have reached a four-year agreement, with a further four-year option.

The tournament will be played at Gut Kaden in Hamburg on May 29th to June 1st. It will return there in 2000 and in alternate years will be staged at St Leon-Rot just south of Heidelberg.

European tour executive director Ken Schofield said: "This is a very special day in the history of the tour.

"It is little more than 25 years ago that John Jacobs, my predecessor, had the foresight to recognise the importance of the expansion of the tour into continental Europe and beyond.

"We are justifiably proud of the growth of the tour and we value most highly long-term commitment such as our recently-announced eight-year agreement for the staging of the Ryder Cup in Ireland in 2005."

Glasgow-born Janice Moodie's hopes of finding fame and fortune on the United States LPGA Tour looking like having to be put on hold for another year. The former Curtis Cup and American college star from Windyhill, who turned professional in August, came down to earth with a bump in the first round of the LPGA Final Qualifying School at Daytona Beach, Florida. On a day when 42 players matched or bettered the par of 72, Moodie struggled to a six-over 78.

Mhairi McKay (22) from Turnberry, who also left the amateur ranks in August after completing a four-year golf scholarship at a California university, did slightly better than her compatriot with a 75.

(All players US unless stated): 68 - J Hinton, K Peterson, C Kerr, Se Ri Pak (Kor). 69 - K Kuehne, M Dobek, Y Inone (Jap), A Ridgeway. 70 - K Coats, E Dahllof (Swe), L Atsedes, S Ballock, L Baugh, A Deluce, M McNamara, M Hjorth (Swe), P Schremmer. Others: 72 - K Davies (Wal), W Dicks (Eng). 75 - M McKay (Scot). 78 - J Moodie (Scot).