The Reignwood Icons of Football, a matchplay golf event between teams of former footballing greats representing England and the Rest of the World, tees offer at Robinswood Golf Course in Bangkok this weekend (Jan 31-Feb 1).
Following a dominant victory for Team England in last year’s inaugural Bangkok event, Team England, captained by 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett, arrives in Thailand with a target on their backs, determined to defend the Icons Trophy and maintain their supremacy. Conversely, Team World, led by Thomas Bjorn, enters the week with a clear mission of redemption, looking to overturn last year’s result and claim the title for the first time.
This unique tournament showcases the legendary rivalries of football in a whole new setting, with players teaming up with former adversaries and aiming for glory across a fast-paced 10-hole matchplay format designed to deliver drama at every turn.
Willett said: “Taking on the captaincy for Team England is a challenge I’m really looking forward to. We’ve got a seriously strong team, packed with competitive icons who are ready to defend our title. The lads are buzzing to get out there in Bangkok and keep that Icons Trophy in English hands.”
Bjørn added: “I’ve been a teammate of Danny’s before, but there won’t be any friendly behaviour this week. We have a group of proven winners – the very best footballers-turned-golfers in the world – and we are coming to Bangkok with a point to prove. My job is to make sure we channel that professional instinct to get the win.”
Adding to the intensity, each competitor will take on the ‘$10m Swing’, otherwise known as ‘The Richest Hole in Golf’. Played as an additional scoring hole on Saturday, all the players will have a chance to win the biggest single prize ever awarded on a golf hole for the first to achieve a hole-in-one. A player who manages to bag an ace will pick up $4m, while $3m will be donated to a charity of their choice, with the remaining $3m split three ways between prize draw winners who who selected that player.
Beyond the ropes, the event transforms into a festival of entertainment, welcoming thousands of fans to Reignwood Park for a weekend of live music, food and drink, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities. For those watching from home, the action will be broadcast globally and on the Icons Series YouTube channel.
Team England (Captain – Danny Willett)
Jimmy Bullard, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Joe Hart, Paul Ince, Phil Jagielka, Jermain Jenas, Phil Jones, Lee Sharpe, Teddy Sheringham, John Terry, Theo Walcott.
Team World (Captain – Thomas Bjørn)
Gareth Bale, Gabriel Batistuta, Nigel De Jong, Ryan Giggs, David Ginola, Ruud Gullit, Henrik Larsson, Aaron Ramsey, John Arne Riise, Andriy Shevchenko, Dwight Yorke, Gianfranco Zola.