Golf superstar Tiger Woods would likely bring the Island to a standstill if, as is expected, he appears in one of the world?s most exclusive golfing events when it arrives in Bermuda next October.

A deal to secure what would arguably be the biggest sporting event to come to the Island now appears little more than a formality after Tourism Minister Ewart Brown revealed yesterday that organisers of the US PGA Tour?s Grand Slam had finally been persuaded to give Bermuda a go.

His Ministry is stumping up a cool $1.5 million to pay some of the expenses needed to bring the golfing showcase and its global television audience to local shores, but having the very best champions of 2007 hitting their way around Mid Ocean Golf Club should be reward enough, placing the Island well and truly on the world?s golfing map.

The exclusive tournament pits the champions of The Masters, US Open, British Open and the PGA Championships against one another in front of TV audiences in more than 100 countries, which includes an estimated 89 million in the USA alone.

For Tiger Woods to be among the invited players he would need to win one of next year?s major tournaments ? and on this year?s form that also should be a formality.

He won both the 2006 British Open and the 2006 PGA Championships, his 11th and 12th major victories, making him by far the most successful active player on the international scene.

After two years of hard work, which included visits by PGA officials to inspect courses on the Island, Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Brown is confident a deal to host the 2007 and 2008 events will be sealed at next month?s PGA Grand Slam in Hawaii.

Mid Ocean is the favoured venue, although it?s understood PGA officials also looked at Tucker?s Point during their summer visit, and discussions are almost complete to ensure it hosts the Grand Slam, which besides Woods could involve such big names as Ernie Els, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

This year?s Slam in Hawaii will see Woods go up against US Open winner Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Weir, who will replace Masters winner Mickelson, and Jim Furyk.

Mickelson and Furyk have both previously played at Mid Ocean Club during the Gillette Tour Challenge Championship in the late 1990s, which attracted some of the biggest names in the game competing for almost $2 million, although that event was not considered as prestigious as the Grand Slam.

Dr. Brown said improving the Island?s golf product had been a key aim for a number of years. Revenue generated by golf on the Island had brought an average of $18 million to Bermuda each year since 2003.

?One of our top priorities has been to attract a televised golf event that will deliver the best players in the world to showcase Bermuda as a world class golf destination,? said Dr. Brown.

?I am pleased to announce the Bermuda Department of Tourism is in the final stages of negotiations with the PGA of America to host the Grand Slam of Golf in Bermuda in October, 2007 and 2008. It is expected that a contract will be signed and an announcement made at this year?s PGA Grand Slam in late November in Hawaii.

?Picture it ? golf?s most exclusive field, featuring champions of The Masters, US Open, British Open and PGA Championships competing in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Thirty-six holes of season-ending drama on one of the world?s most breathtaking courses.

?It fits our objectives perfectly. The event will be broadcast live on TNT, which will reach an audience of 89 million US homes and an international audience of more than 100 countries in a prime-time telecast.

?Next year?s major champions, expected to include Tiger Woods, will compete for a purse of $1.25 million with the winner receiving $500,000, second place $300,000, third place $250,000 and fourth place $200,000.?

IMG World Consultant Roddy Carr has helped secure the event for Bermuda.

Asked how much Government had agreed to pay, Dr. Brown said his Ministry had guaranteed the organisers $1.5 million, adding: ?We think it?s a great bang for the buck so to speak because of the exposure that we will get when we are able to showcase Bermuda?s beaches, Bermuda?s people and various attractions in Bermuda on TNT at prime time. If we had to pay for that exposure simply by buying commercial time we would have to pay a lot more.?