The latest stage of the 2016 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup, the sport’s biggest and most exciting amateur tournament, takes place at the Royal Malta Golf Club today.

The 78th of 100 qualifiers for the global event, which is enjoying a growing reputation after three hugely successful previous series, will feature 60 players, all personally-invited guests of Turkish Airlines.

One winner will progress to the Grand Final in Antalya, Turkey, this October, while there will also be memorable prizes for the runner-up, third place, best gross and nearest-the-pin prizes for men and women.

“We are proud to be hosting the latest 2016 Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup qualifier in Malta,” Mehmet Gurhan Arslan, general manager for Turkish Airlines Malta, said.

“We are excited to be welcoming everyone to the world-class facilities at Royal Malta Golf Club. We are sure the players will have a day to remember and wish them all the very best of luck.”

Winners of the Grand Final advance to play in the 2016 Turkish Airlines Open pro-am, while all finalists are to enjoy an eight-night stay in an all-inclusive hotel, two rounds of golf and VIP passes to the Turkish Airlines Open, the $7,000,000 European Tour event, scheduled for November.

The event is backed by global sponsor the Financial Times, with Conte of Florence the official clothing and fashion partner.

Turkish Airlines launched the World Golf Cup in 2013.

It featured 12 qualifying events and was won by China’s Han Liang.

His prize for victory was partnering world number one and 14-time major champion Tiger Woods in the Turkish Airlines Open pro-am.

Neill Bam, from Johannesburg, was successful in the 2015 series and went on to partner Rory McIlroy, a once-in-a lifetime opportunity.