Steve Stricker, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and other PGA TOUR pros may putt for dough, but they're going to have to earn the title of America's Best Putter, just like every other golfer. The inaugural U.S. Putting Tour Championship will crown one person as America's Best Putter on October 2 of this year, when the weeklong tournament concludes in Carlsbad, California.
Just as American Idol makes new stars out of previous unknowns, so, too, will the U.S. Putting Tour. That is, unless, Tiger, Phil or Steve decide to enter the USPT Championship and win the title themselves.
"We have no idea whether our winner will be a club professional, a mini-tour player or an 18-handicapper who can putt lights-out," said Jim Hartley, president of the U.S. Putting Tour. "That's what makes our championship so intriguing; anyone can walk away with the title."
Hartley went on to say that every golfer is encouraged to give the
putting championship a try because it boils down to whoever gets hot with the putter for a couple of days. In the
putting tournament, all entrants will compete together. That means a 15 year old girl, the minimum age is 13, could play head-to-head against a 35 year old PGA club professional.
Entrants can choose one of four days on which to play their first round. If they play well enough to advance, they will play on October 2nd as part of the 72 golfers who make it to Championship Sunday. By the end of the day, America's Best Putter will be crowned and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers among the amateurs and professionals.
The top pro will earn $10,000, as well as a spot in a 2012 World Putting Tour Championships event that boasts a first prize of $100,000 and a total purse of $360,000.
More information on how to enter the USPT's 2011 season-ending
putting competition is available at USPuttingTour.com.
