Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy look set to land a $4m payout after agreeing to head back to China later this year for the second Duel at Jinsha Lake in Zhengzhou.
The world’s top two golfers will again be the only competitors in the 18-hole event to be staged on Monday October, 28th and the day after the BMW Masters in Shanghai.
However the venue is yet to be confirmed despite Zhengzhou boasting a city of 10 million but only three golf courses.
Last year’s inaugural Duel at Lake Jinsha was one of the most bizarre tournaments I have ever reported on nearly 25 years covering golf including the sight of marshals tackling spectators and women in full evening dresses standing on tees.
Woods should be expected to receive $3m for his appearance while the double Major winning McIlroy a cool $1m.
Woods, who overtook McIlroy to regain the number one ranking in late March, was keen to play again as the 14-time major winner looks to reverse last year’s loss in front of boisterous crowds.
“Rory and I have played against and with each other a lot over the past few years, and he beat me in China last time so I’m looking forward to playing again,” said Woods.
“We’re good friends, but both of us love to win, so I’m expecting more great golf,” said the 37-year-old Woods, who has won 78 PGA Tour titles including four this year.
“I’ve played in China since 2001 and the event last year showed me there’s still huge enthusiasm for growing the game in cities all across the country, especially as it’s again an Olympic sport in 2016.”
Last October, McIlroy topped the world ranking ahead of Woods and won the Duel at Jinsha Lake strokeplay contest by a single shot after carding a bogey-free, five-under-par 67.
The 24-year-old Northern Irishman, who won five times last year, believes he can edge his boyhood idol in China for a second straight year.
“It’s exciting to play against Tiger in this format. We’ve played together many times in regular four-day Tour events, but it’s different when it’s just the two of us in an 18-hole battle,” said McIlroy, who won his second major in two years at the PGA Championship last August.
“Everyone knows he’s hugely competitive each time he steps on the golf course, so I know he’ll want to beat me, just as I’ll be very keen to beat him again.
“The crowds we had last year were incredible. I had never seen so many people following one match and I’m sure we’ll have more of the same this year. The support is testimony to the growing strength of golf in China and I’m looking forward to getting back there.”
Event organiser Infinite Ideas International (i3) will co-promote the event with Bolide Sports and Entertainment, a China-based sports marketing firm.
Raymond Roessel, Managing Director of i3, said both players were keen to go head to head in China for a second time and that a venue would soon be announced.
“The priority has been to secure the players again. They remain the world’s two best and most famous golfers, and they really rose to the occasion last year, playing great golf and entertaining the crowd,” Roessel said.
“Jinsha Lake Golf Club did a tremendous job as host venue. The event gained so much exposure that a number of other leading golf clubs in China have stated strong interest in playing host this year and we’ll be confirming the venue soon.”
Qiao Yang, Chairwoman of Bolide, said the Woods-McIlroy duel was a natural fit for the company, which has worked on golf events and high-profile football matches including the Yingli Cup between China and Germany and the Winoly Cup between Manchester City and Arsenal, both held in Beijing.
“The concept of The Duel fits the profile of Bolide Sports. Bolide has concentrated on bringing world-class sporting events to China and we have focused a lot on golf this year,” Qiao said.
“We are working with the China Golf Association to promote the China Golf Coaches and Referees Tour, which is held in five Chinese cities. We are now delighted to work with Infinite Ideas International to promote The Duel between the sport’s two best athletes, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.”
