The 50th anniversary of the Volvo World Match-Play Championship will be celebrated in style with officials announcing a Euro 3m purse when the event heads to Bulgaria next May.

Volvo, IMG and The European Tour along with Bulgaria’s Minister of Physical Education and Sport, Mr Svilen Neykov, and the Bulgarian Golf Association gathered Monday in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia to make the annoucement

At the press conference it was revealed prize money for 2013 Championship increases to €3,000,000 (€250,000 more than 2012) with the eventual winner taking home a €800,000 first prize.

The 2013 Volvo World Match Play Championship, which will be played at the breathtaking Thracian Cliffs Course in Bulgaria from the 16th to the 19th May.

Defending Champion Nicolas Colsaerts recently spoke with www.golfbytourmiss.com saying:  “It’s going to be pretty cool as I’ve never been to Bulgaria before.

“But then I do know some people who have actually been to the place and the course looks fantastic.   It’s a Gary Player design, so when you get a piece of land like that it’s no surprise that he’s done something extraordinary.

“Of course, Finca in Spain where I won this year has been dear to me, but then this is also the second time I have won a Tour event and it’s moved for the following year.

“I won the Volvo China Open and it moved for this year and now the Volvo Match-Play is moving from Spain to Bulgaria so I haven’t really defended a title on the course I won the year before.

“So I’m curious to see Bulgaria even though it means I’ll probably have to stay out of the nightlife that week (smiling).”

And rumours already abound the 2014 edition of the tournament will be heading back to Wentworth.

Officials and tournament organisers gather in Sofia, Bulgaria on Monday to annouce prize fund for 50th Volvo World Match-Play Championship will be Euro 3m. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)