WHO will be the third champion to book his place at this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf?Well Bermudians will find out on Sunday when the winner of the British Open is known following the final round at the tough layout of Carnoustie in Scotland.

He will join US Open winner Angel Cabrera and Masters victor Zach Johnson for the 25th edition of the 36-hole tournament.

The final spot will be taken by the winner of the PGA Championships — the fourth major of the year. The 89th PGA Championship will be staged at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma from August 9-12.

This year’s Grand Slam of Golf will be staged at the Mid Ocean Club from October 15-17, and televised by TNT to an audience of 89 million US homes, along with an international audience of more than 100 countries in a prime-time telecast.

TNT has already sent down their film crew to shoot the course, hole-by-hole, and also the rest of Bermuda.

David Ezekiel, the vice president of Mid Ocean Club, said this week: “Things are going well on the organisation side — Turner Sports were here two weeks ago to do the helicopter aerial shoot and they were drooling as they got a perfect Bermuda day.

“So the hole-by-hole of Mid Ocean and the shots of the rest of the island are going to show Bermuda at its very best to the worldwide viewing audience.

“We have three months to go, though it feels like three weeks!”

Ezekiel will be watching the British Open from Scotland closely to see who will be the third major winner of 2007. And like many others he is hoping Tiger Woods comes out on top.

“We’ll all be watching the remaining majors with interest and Carnoustie should be a real treat to watch especially with Tiger trying for three (British) Opens in a row — I think the transition from ‘Carnasty’ to ‘Carnicety’ — as the British Press are describing the set-up — will actually help him as he can do wonders with anything that offers any sort of shot, whereas the deep gorse was a great equaliser last time and brought the whole field into play.

“Of course we all want to see Tiger here, though from my point of view the organisational requirements will take a quantum leap if he is in the field, as not only will the numbers jump but we will get a lot of non-golfers turning up to watch, and that will certainly bring its own challenges.

“Having said that, it will be a real thrill to have him in the field and I will be cheering him on as will most of us in Bermuda. If it’s not him it would be good to get a ‘banner’ name to join Zack Johnson and Angel Cabrera though I think both of these two will really entertain the fans — especially Cabrera who has an easygoing swashbuckling style and hits it a mile.”

Ezekiel added that so many golfers would make this year’s Grand Slam of Golf an amazing event. “Phil (Mickelson) is playing well as is Ernie Els and either of these or Vijay Singh, who has arrived there real early, or Goosen, Donald, Furyk, Garcia, Monty, Harrington or Rose etc will be great to get.”

Asked his prediction of who will win the British Open, Ezekiel said after a moment: “My prediction? Vijay.

“But no matter who comes, the Bermuda event — weather permitting — will be very special for all of us here. There is certainly already a real buzz and the Corporate Hospitality and Ticket Sales are selling out fast.”

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf purse is $1.35 million, with the winner receiving $600,000; second place $300,000; third place $250,000; and fourth place $200,000.

Tickets for the 25th PGA Grand Slam of Golf may be purchased by calling either 800-PGA-GOLF (800-742-4653) or (561) 624-7601 as well as by visiting www.PGA.com. A limited amount of tickets are available to witness golf’s major champions compete for the title Champion of Champions.

PGA Grand Slam Week begins Monday, October 15 with the Champions Clinic and Pro-Am. The Champions Clinic features the major champions demonstrating various golf skills and insight on how they execute their shots. The clinic will be televised by the Golf Channel — on Bermuda cable channel 51.

The Pro-Am features amateur groups composed of officials, VIPs and guests of the PGA of America, TNT and Bermuda, who play alongside the major champions. Cameras and autographs are only allowed on Monday.

Tuesday and Wednesday — October 16-17 — are the competition days, where the limited gallery will experience the major champions up close, as inside-the-fairway access will be enjoyed by all spectators.

Season tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15-17, are available for $150, and come in the form of three individual day tickets. Daily tickets for individual attendance are available for $50 on Monday for the Champions Clinic and Pro-Am; and $75 each day for the Tuesday and Wednesday competition days. All tickets include a sleeve and lanyard that must be utilised for clearly displaying tickets at all times while on property at the Mid Ocean Club.