Purse Increased to $500,000 for Tournament of Champions

The purse for the MONY Tournament of Champions has been increased $100,000 to $500,000, according to general chairman Allard Roen. First-place money also has been raised $18,000 to $90,000.

The purse for the MONY Senior Tournament of Champions will be $100,000, with $30,000 going to the winner. The Seniors event will be a companion feature and will be played concurrently with the regular event.

The Tournament of Champions will be played Jan. 8-11 (Saturday finish) at the La Costa Resort Hotel, Spa and Country Club course.

Only winners of PGA events in 1985, in both categories, will be eligible for this event.

Tom Kite is defending champion, while Peter Thomson, who incredibly won nine tournaments in 1985, is the Seniors defender.

Thirty-one pros, including nine rookies, have qualified, while seven have made the Seniors field. One more event remains for the 50-and-over set.

Player of the Year Lanny Wadkins, Masters champion Bernhard Langer, PGA king Hubert Green, U.S. Open winner Andy North and British Open champ Sandy Lyle head the list. Lyle will be making his first start here.

Leading money winner Curtis Strange, Jim Thorpe, the surprise player of the year; Fuzzy Zoeller, John Mahaffey, Hal Sutton, Calvin Peete, Ray Floyd, Hale Irwin, Roger Maltbie and Escondido’s twin entry of Mark O’Meara and Mark Wiebe are other headliners.

Arnold Palmer, Don January, Lee Elder, Miller Barber, Mike Fetchick and Harold Henning are other Senior qualifiers.

Ticket information can be obtained by calling La Costa (619) 438-9111.