SYDNEY, June 23 (Reuters) - This year's Australian PGA Championship will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and boast the richest purse in the 120-year history of the tournament, the PGA of Australia said on Tuesday.
The tournament, which will take place at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast from Dec. 3-6, will offer a total of A$1.75 million ($1.35 million) in prize money.
The winner will receive a cheque for A$315,000 and earn berths at next year's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
"This is a huge step forward for the tournament to rank alongside many of the great tournaments in Europe and Asia," said PGA of Australia chief Brian Thorburn.