Inaugural Kiwi Challenge to join TOUR's Challenge Events' season

text size

NEW YORK -- The inaugural Kiwi Challenge, a made-for-TV event featuring four of the game's brightest young stars, is now an officially sanctioned event on the PGA TOUR's Challenge Events' season, an 11-event series that caps off the PGA TOUR schedule.

Lyons/Getty Images

Aussie Adam Scott will be joined in the made-for-TV event by Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Hunter Mahan.

The Oct. 27-28 Kiwi Challenge features four of the top young players in the world -- Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker, Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan -- playing 18 holes each day over two days on two of the most picturesque courses in the world: Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. NBC will televise the Kiwi Challenge in vivid HDTV Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16.

The PGA TOUR and Kiwi Challenge signed a three-year deal to include the event as a part of the Challenge Events' season, which begins with the Tavistock Cup in March and ends with Tiger Woods' Chevron World Challenge presented by Bank of America Dec. 18-21; the season includes some of the most storied events on Tour, including the LG SKINS GAME, Del Webb Father/Son Challenge and Greg Norman's Merrill Lynch Shootout.

"We are pleased to officially add the Kiwi Challenge as one of the PGA TOUR's Challenge Events, beginning this year with the exciting field of Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker, Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan," said Ed Moorhouse, PGA TOUR co-chief operating officer. "The participation of these rising, young PGA TOUR stars will make the inaugural Kiwi Challenge a can't-miss event for golf fans in New Zealand and those watching from around the world."

Julian Robertson, the owner of both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers and the founder of the Kiwi Challenge, said "Anthony Kim and Hunter Mahan were real American Ryder Cup heroes. They showed poise, power and perseverance under extreme pressure. We can't wait for them to meet up with Adam Scott and Brandt Snedeker in the Kiwi Challenge."

The Kiwi Challenge will feature a $2.6 million purse and $1.5 million winner's check, one of the largest winner's checks in golf. The four players will contend for that purse in novel, yet spectacular fashion -- by playing 18 holes on consecutive days on courses 350 miles apart.

First up is 7,119-yard Kauri Cliffs. Designed by Orlando-based architect David Harman, Kauri Cliffs hosted the 2003 Shell Wonderful World of Golf, a match pitting New Zealander Michael Campbell against the popular Fred Couples. Kauri Cliffs, which was named the Best New International Course by Golf Digest in 2001, features 15 holes that view the Pacific Ocean.

From there, the players will take on Cape Kidnappers, the Tom Doak-designed course overlooking beautiful Hawke's Bay that in four short years, has become one of the top golf courses in the world. Also measuring out at 7,119 yards, Cape Kidnappers was ranked 41st in the world by Golf Magazine, a fitting tribute for a course with holes that not only jut out dramatically over the Pacific, but bring a working farm into play.

A limited number of spectator tickets will be available and can be purchased via Ticket Direct at www.ticketdirect.co.nz. Tickets went on sale August 1, 2008. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit local community charities in Northland and Hawke's Bay.