There are many factors separating the skill sets of professionals and amateur golfers. But, a new golf event coming to Las Vegas eliminates many of them and offers the little guy a chance to compete for cash.
The inaugural Major Series of Putting is coming to Las Vegas in March 2017. The founders are calling it the “largest putting tournament in history” and will offer more than $10 million in prize money.
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It’s an interesting idea because such a tournament is an event with a professional attitude that amateurs could conquer. The gulf that separates pro golfers from amateur players — the primary reason the two camps aren’t really playing the same game — is distance. Pros like Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson can crank a drive up to 400 yards on occasion. A good amateur might tickle 275 regularly. And, that same length disparity applies to every club in the bag.
But, an amateur or pro can propel that golf ball across a green. Pros are the best putters in the world, but there theoretically be an amateur out there who can get hot on any given day. That’s what could make this Major Series of Putting work.
The event is open to golfers from around the world. They would qualify in a series of regional tournaments to punch their ticket to Las Vegas. The big show in Sin City promises galleries of fans, live TV coverage and big money competition.
The MSOP venue will take place at a new, 20,000-square-foot, 18-hole putting course designed by world-leading golf course creation firm, Nicklaus Design. The tournament’s administration is organizing PGA professionals at golf courses across North America to host qualifying tournaments through 2016 and into 2017. The best putters from those events will head to the finals to compete both as visuals and in teams.
