The two biggest names in golf landed on the tropical Hainan Island yesterday evening for what is set to be the most highly anticipated and widely viewed 18 holes of golf match in Asia this year.
World No.1 Tiger Woods touched down at the Haikou International Airport in a private jet from the US, and this will likely be the 14-time major winner’s only competitive match in the Asia Pacific region this year.
His opponent in today’s ‘The Match at Mission Hills’ is the former World No.1 and two-time major winner Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman, who enjoys a huge following in China, also landed last evening. He was in a relaxed mood and clearly looking forward to the showdown with his great adversary.
Speaking on his arrival at Mission Hills, the double major winner Rory McIlroy said, “I played here with G-Mac [in the World Cup] and it was good. It’s a good golf course, a good layout and obviously we had a great chance to win here a couple of years ago. It’s nice to be back and obviously every time we come we get looked after really well.”
Dr. Ken Chu, Chairman & CEO of Mission Hills Group said, “We’re delighted to welcome Tiger and Rory to Mission Hills Haikou. The Match at Mission Hills is one of the Group’s latest initiatives showcasing golf to new generation golfers and audiences in China and around the world. This spectacular event will also mark a magnificent finale to Mission Hills Group’s 20th Anniversary celebration.”
The Match will be staged on the highly acclaimed centuries-old Blackstone Course, set amidst spectacular black lava rock at Mission Hills Resort in Haikou, China. This much-anticipated event is Mission Hills Group’s latest initiative to popularize the game of golf and showcase the sport to new audiences in China and around the world.
“The Match at Mission Hills” marks the second straight year Woods and McIlroy will meet up in the world’s most populous country for a duel. The event will be streamed live exclusively on Back9Network.com and YouTube to countries outside the U.S. (PGA Tour rules restrict broadcasting an event such as this in those two countries)
Mission Hills Group www.missionhillschina.com