Is Golf Industry Finally Getting It?

[GolfSpy_X]

There is rarely much MUST SEE TV when your talking golf. Yeah I know there are those reading this that are saying "Every weekend is must watch golf". Yeah you are the guy I am not referring to when I write this post. I am referring the guy the game lost or the guy that hasn't tried the sport. They are leaving in numbers from the sport like viewers of Fencing directly after the Olympics. They have a million opportunities to change this and up to this point are all talk and no walk.

 

But this one on paper at least sounds like some MUST SEE GOLF!

 

=========================================================

 

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will square off in China this fall in a one-day exhibition.

 

Woods and McIlroy are to play an 18-hole match at Lake Jinsha International Golf Club on Oct. 29, the Monday after the top two players in the world ranking compete in different Asian tournaments.

 

Mark Steinberg at Excel Sports Management, the agent for Woods, says the exhibition has been in the works for a couple of months. He described it as customer entertainment.

 

The timing could not be better. McIlroy won the PGA Championship on Sunday, boosting comparisons with Woods. They are the only two players to win multiple majors by more than eight shots over the last 35 years. McIlroy won his second major at a slightly younger age than when Woods won the second of his 14 majors.

 

"I'm sure this gives it a little more pop," Steinberg said. "Rory has moved to No. 1 in the world, and clearly they are the two most recognizable names in golf."

 

Woods will be playing the CIMB Classic in Malaysia on Oct. 25-28, while McIlroy will be competing in the Volvo Masters in Shanghai.

 

These 18-hole exhibitions are nothing new for Woods, who played David Duval in a Monday night match on network TV in 1999 when they were battling for No. 1 in the world. McIlroy and Woods played together in Abu Dhabi to start the year, and they will be in the same group at The Barclays next week when the FedEx Cup playoffs begin. But unless they are paired in Ryder Cup singles -- a blind draw -- the "Duel at Lake Jinsha" will be their first time going head-to-head.

 

"It should be a lot of fun," McIlroy said in a telephone interview with Golf Channel on Wednesday. "First time I've really ever done something like this with Tiger."

 

 

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

[Damon]

What's the guess on the fee for each? $3m?

[GolfSpy WD]

What's the guess on the fee for each? $3m?

 

As great as Rory is to the golf world, there's no way he's getting paid the same as Tiger. I remember they made a big stink about players getting paid to play at the Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but I don't think it was ever disclosed how much they got

[Damon]

As great as Rory is to the golf world, there's no way he's getting paid the same as Tiger. I remember they made a big stink about players getting paid to play at the Abu Dhabi earlier this year, but I don't think it was ever disclosed how much they got

 

I agree he probably won't be paid as much as Tiger, but it'll be close.

[r2wtrials]

Small point... they aren't the top 2 ranked players in the world last i looked... that would be Rory and Luke Donald

[GolfSpy_X]

Yeah but a Rory and Luke match ain't gonna put asses in seats either.

[r2wtrials]

Yeah but a Rory and Luke match ain't gonna put asses in seats either.

 

:-) .. true, i'll give you that one!

 

Wonder which of Rory and Tiger will get to wear the red shirt for this?

[Will Par]

I think I'll pick Rory to win. Tiger might get frustrated when Rory starts blowing it past Tiger off the tee.

[Flv02]

I can't wait for this. I actually think Tiger is going to win. You all can disagree with me, but I feel like he will win because of experience, maturity, and the fact that if Tiger wants to kick someone's ass, he WILL kick their ass.

[Tyk]

That's a tough bet! McIlroy of course just won his 2nd major, but hadn't really been playing that great in the weeks (months even) before that. Tiger hasn't been winning, but he's consistently in the top 10 week in and week out and has really had a more consistent season and played better golf more often.

 

When McIlroy is on, he looks unbeatable. Tiger certainly has that in him but we haven't seen it lately.

 

If the match were tomorrow, I think I'd have to take Tiger just because of experience, but I wouldn't bet heavy!

 

You're right, MUST SEE golf if there is such a thing!

[Kanoito]

Tiger is gonna show him the eye of the tiger!

 

/insert Rocky theme

[TwoSolitudes]

Great idea! Is it just me, or did skins games with the top pro's used to be a more regular thing? I seem to remember watching guys like Price and Norman playing for 50K a hole or something back in the late 90's.

 

It would be great to see that kind of play make a comeback.

[sparnar]

i reckon tiger will beat mcilroy.

 

tiger is quite good at raising his game when there is something in line (except for the majors it seems).

 

look how he won nicklaus' tournament this year, as well as the arnold palmer invitational.

 

and with the comparisons between rory and tiger at an all time high, tiger would LOVE to show mcilroy that he still has a long way to go. tiger loves this kind of thing where he can one up somebody else.

 

i reckon that's what motivated him to win nicklaus' tournament. for him to tie the golden bear, by winning nicklaus' tournament, was a big thing. he likes to rise to these kinds of challenges.

 

and i think that's why he is the likely winner.

 

it also helps that he has been more consistent so far this year.

[Shambles]

That's a tough bet! McIlroy of course just won his 2nd major, but hadn't really been playing that great in the weeks (months even) before that. Tiger hasn't been winning, but he's consistently in the top 10 week in and week out and has really had a more consistent season and played better golf more often.

 

When McIlroy is on, he looks unbeatable. Tiger certainly has that in him but we haven't seen it lately.

 

If the match were tomorrow, I think I'd have to take Tiger just because of experience, but I wouldn't bet heavy!

 

You're right, MUST SEE golf if there is such a thing!

 

I'll add my voice to this point of view. It IS a tough call.

 

I lean in Tiger's direction but mostly because Tiger has shown himself a fighter for way long and Rory has melted more often than I would be comfortable with. This fighting attitude is what made Arnie and Jack the dominant legends they rightly became in their time.

 

 

Shambles

[GolfSpy WD]

If Tiger looks like he did at the WGC Accenture earlier this year, then Rory is going to take him down 5 and 4.

[apprenti23]

Seeing that this is match play and tiger plays golf like a pussycat now I'm thinking McIlroy will wax him- 4 up is my guess

[Tyk]

We need to do a bet for this.

 

I would suggest MGS put up a prize or maybe a few prizes from which the winner could pick the one they wanted. To get in you HAVE to make a $10 donation to MGS. For each donation you get to pick a result of the match (like Tiger 2-1 or McIlroy 3-2). Tie breaker could be combined number of birdies in the match. Entries would be messaged to a staff member and revealed after the entry deadline but before the match.

 

Is that under 100 words? Can it be my contest entry?!

[jimmurphy99]

Can't Wait - and yes I am guessing the fee will be something ridiculous!

 

There is rarely much MUST SEE TV when your talking golf. Yeah I know there are those reading this that are saying "Every weekend is must watch golf". Yeah you are the guy I am not referring to when I write this post. I am referring the guy the game lost or the guy that hasn't tried the sport. They are leaving in numbers from the sport like viewers of Fencing directly after the Olympics. They have a million opportunities to change this and up to this point are all talk and no walk.

 

But this one on paper at least sounds like some MUST SEE GOLF!

 

=========================================================

 

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will square off in China this fall in a one-day exhibition.

 

Woods and McIlroy are to play an 18-hole match at Lake Jinsha International Golf Club on Oct. 29, the Monday after the top two players in the world ranking compete in different Asian tournaments.

 

Mark Steinberg at Excel Sports Management, the agent for Woods, says the exhibition has been in the works for a couple of months. He described it as customer entertainment.

 

The timing could not be better. McIlroy won the PGA Championship on Sunday, boosting comparisons with Woods. They are the only two players to win multiple majors by more than eight shots over the last 35 years. McIlroy won his second major at a slightly younger age than when Woods won the second of his 14 majors.

 

"I'm sure this gives it a little more pop," Steinberg said. "Rory has moved to No. 1 in the world, and clearly they are the two most recognizable names in golf."

 

Woods will be playing the CIMB Classic in Malaysia on Oct. 25-28, while McIlroy will be competing in the Volvo Masters in Shanghai.

 

These 18-hole exhibitions are nothing new for Woods, who played David Duval in a Monday night match on network TV in 1999 when they were battling for No. 1 in the world. McIlroy and Woods played together in Abu Dhabi to start the year, and they will be in the same group at The Barclays next week when the FedEx Cup playoffs begin. But unless they are paired in Ryder Cup singles -- a blind draw -- the "Duel at Lake Jinsha" will be their first time going head-to-head.

 

"It should be a lot of fun," McIlroy said in a telephone interview with Golf Channel on Wednesday. "First time I've really ever done something like this with Tiger."

 

 

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

[SusanLawless]

Well, the Golf Channel poll has it split 50/50 so far...In all the polls I've seen, I've never seen a 50/50 split....It'll definitely make for good TV....

 

Fairways & Greens 4ever.........

 

I just hope the real thing lives up to the inevitable hype!

[BK in TEXAS]

They like each other too much. At least that's how it seems. A kid playing against his idol, and an idol playing with an up and coming star. I don't think either will feel pressure....I think it will be a fun exhibition match.....and I'm looking forward to watching!!