The complimentary offer for Bermuda residents to attend this year’s PGA Grand Slam of Golf has created an increased demand for tickets, the PGA of America said today.

Additional tickets were rushed to the Island last week to match the demand officials are seeing before next month’s season-ending tournament at Port Royal Golf Course.

“This is exactly the result we hoped for,” said David Charles, senior director of championships for the PGA of America. “The complimentary ticket offer has two objectives: show our appreciation to the people of Bermuda for the past eight years and make the final Grand Slam in Bermuda the best one yet for the Island.”

Although the PGA of America does not release ticket information before the Grand Slam, it has acknowledged the volume of tickets in the market at present far exceeds recent years.

Complimentary tickets are available to Bermuda residents at the pro shops of Port Royal Golf Course and Turtle Hill Golf Course during normal business hours.

The final day to collect free tickets is October 10. After that date, the ticket price will be $20 each day.

Each fan will be permitted up to four complimentary tickets, good for any day of the Grand Slam.

The PGA Grand Slam of Golf moved from Hawaii to Bermuda in 2006, the first time the event was played outside the United States.

Initially, Mid Ocean Club hosted the Grand Slam. In 2009, it moved to Port Royal Golf Course where it has been played ever since. It was announced this year that the event would move back to the US beginning in 2015.

This year’s event takes place from October 13 to 15, featuring four major champions — Bubba Watson (Masters), Martin Kaymer (US Open), Rory McIlroy (PGA Championship and Open Championships and Jim Furyk (2003 US Open and 2008 Grand Slam champion). Furyk completes the foursome as an alternate from the major champions point list because McIlroy won two major championships this year and Adam Scott, last year’s Grand Slam champion, was unavailable because of a scheduling conflict.

The Grand Slam is broadcast to a worldwide audience on TNT and is hosted by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, Port Royal Golf Course and The Fairmont Southampton.

Ticket-carrying fans are allowed to get closer to the professionals at the Grand Slam than at any other competitive golf tournament. Because there is only one group during the event, spectators are permitted to follow the players down the fairways of every hole — standing just a few feet from the action in some cases.

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