Never Give Up Japan relief buttonScott Halleran
The Japanese men's tour says it will donate $2-million US to help victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
The JGTO says it will pool six percent of all prize money from its 22 tournaments this year, which will account for roughly $1.7-million US with the Tour throwing in an additional $3-million US.
The offer matches the donation being made by Ryo Ishikawa, who said he would donate all of his 2011 earnings to the disaster relief.
Ishikawa has earned more than $1.2 million US in each of the past three seasons since he turned professional in 2008 at the age of 16.
LPGA players Ai Miyazato, Momoku Ueda and Mika Miyazato have set up a fundraising website for a non-profit relief organization with the slogan "Makeruna Nippon" or "Never Give Up Japan."
Veteran player Isao Aoki called on other Japanese players to do even more to help out their countrymen.
"They should play in as many events this year and do something like donating $1,000 US every time someone misses the cut - which is still only like a thousandth of what Ryo is giving," said Aoki, who recently visited one of the hardest hit regions in Japan, Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture.
"I can't even begin to put it into words. It's not something that will be taken care of right away."