Scott, Snedeker, Kim and Mahan to participate
in inaugural $2.6 million (U.S.) Kiwi Challenge
NEW YORK – Together, they help define the future of golf, a quartet possessing not only a combined 10 PGA Tour victories, but plenty of charisma for golf fans and television viewers.And with the inaugural Kiwi Challenge, golf fans and television viewers will get not only Adam Scott, Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Hunter Mahan, but some of the world’s most spectacular scenery in vivid HDTV.
The Oct. 27-28 Kiwi Challenge features the four “Young Guns” 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 Saturday, Nov. 15 and Sunday, Nov. 16.
The Kiwi Challenge will feature a $2.6 million purse and $1.5 million winner’s check.
To earn that check, the four players will begin with 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, and by view, you can see 50 miles of the northern New Zealand coastline. The inland holes feature their own pristine settings: winding through marsh, forest and farmland.
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.
These are the seaside settings that await Scott, Kim, Snedeker and Mahan, settings that will test the shotmaking abilities of four players who have garnered golf fans with every Tour stop.
“My family and I are tremendously excited about having four of the finest young golfers in the world showcasing our two golf properties in New Zealand,” said Julian Robertson, the owner of both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers and the founder of the Kiwi Challenge. “These courses reflect the natural beauty of this magnificent country, and are microcosms of their surrounding areas. We are honored to be hosting the Kiwi Challenge.”
A native of Adelaide, South Australia, Scott just celebrated his 28th birthday as the third-ranked player in the world. In April, he celebrated his 14th professional victory in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
Scott’s 14 victories have come on three continents: his six PGA Tour wins in North American to go with two in Europe, one in South Africa and five in Asia – all on the European Tour. Two of his PGA Tour victories came in the circuit’s marquee events: the Players Championship (2004) and the Tour Championship (2006).
He was the youngest player to win the Players (23 years, 8 months, 12 days) and the third youngest player to claim the title at the Tour Championship (behind Tiger Woods and David Duval).
"The Kiwi Challenge is an event I'm looking forward to playing,” Scott said. “I'm a global player, but it's always nice to return to the Southern Hemisphere and to compete on two beautiful courses that are going to provide a great test of golf and a spectacular setting. I enjoy playing golf all over the world, and the challenge that that presents, I think it makes you a complete golfer and playing against Anthony, Brandt and Hunter on these courses will test all elements of my game. It should be a lot of fun."
Kim, who grew up in Southern California, provides the fire to Scott’s cool charisma. According to no less an authority than two-time major champion Mark O’Meara, the 23-year-old Kim also possesses one of the best ball-striking swings on Tour.
The charismatic Kim – who sports large belt-buckles resplendent with a diamond-studded ‘AK’ – became the youngest winner on the PGA Tour in six years in May with a five-stroke victory at the Wachovia Championship. When Kim cruised home at 16-under-par, it brought him not only his first victory, but broke Tiger Woods’ event record by three shots.
Unfazed by that, his four top-10s during his rookie year in 2007 or the fact Kim finished tied for 2nd in his first PGA Tour event (the 2006 Valero Texas Open), Kim picked up victory No. 2 earlier this month at the AT&T National Hosted by Tiger Woods. That came courtesy of a final-round 5-under 65 at Congressional Country Club and made Kim only the fourth multiple winner (joining Woods, Phil Mickelson and Kenny Perry) on the PGA Tour this season.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Kiwi Challenge, and looking forward to traveling to what I've been told is one of the most spectacular countries in the world," Kim said. "2008 has been a very exciting year for me on Tour, and I appreciate the chance to go up against Adam, Brandt and Hunter; three players that I have a great deal of respect for and are all doing a great job of representing golf's next generation. It's going to be a fun event."
As good as Kim was in 2007, Snedeker was better. Best known for his stellar 2008 Masters performance, where he dueled eventual winner and final-round playing partner Trevor Immelman throughout the weekend before finishing T3, Snedeker was the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2007.
It wasn’t a hard choice, not after Snedeker, 27, won the Wyndham Championship, sinking a 32-foot birdie putt on the 71st hole en route to a final-round 63. That may have brought Snedeker his sixth top-10 of the season, but it wasn’t his best round of the year. That honor went to his first-round, course-record-tying 11-under 61 on the North Course at Torrey Pines during the Buick Invitational.
This season, Snedeker – the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links Champion and a first-team All-American at Vanderbilt -- has five top-10 finishes, including a T9 in the U.S. Open.
“It’s hard for me to relay the feeling of how excited myself and my fiancé, Mandy (Toth) are to visit New Zealand. We’re getting married right before the Kiwi Challenge in October and this will be a honeymoon to remember,” Snedeker said. “I’m honored to be a part of this and I can’t wait to see both Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers.”
Like Snedeker, Kim (University of Oklahoma) and Scott (UNLV), Mahan was a golfing prodigy with a glittering resume. A two-time All-American at Oklahoma State, Mahan won the Jack Nicklaus Award and Fred Haskins Award as the top collegiate golfer in 2003.
It took Mahan until 2007 to earn his first PGA Tour victory, which he did by vanquishing Jay Williamson in a playoff at the Travelers Championship in Hartford. At 25 years, 1 month and 7 days, Mahan became the youngest winner on Tour in 2007. That victory came with one of the three 62s Mahan fired over a three-month span in the summer.
Mahan’s dynamic play captured the attention of U.S. President’s Cup Captain Jack Nicklaus, who used one of his two captain’s picks on Mahan. He went 2-3 for the victorious Americans.
“I can’t wait to go to New Zealand to play in the Kiwi Challenge against Adam, Brandt and Anthony,” Mahan said. “I have heard wonderful things about these two courses and look forward to making my first trip to New Zealand. I love to travel and can’t wait to compete against the world’s best players on these great courses.”
A limited number of spectator tickets will be available and can be purchased via Ticket Direct at www.ticketdirect.co.nz . Tickets will go on sale August 1, 2008. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit local community charities in Northland and Hawke’s Bay.
About the Courses
Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers are world-class, luxury golf resorts on New Zealand’s North Island. Located in the Bay of Islands, Kauri Cliffs is ranked the 63rd best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine and was recently voted the No. 1 International Golf Resort in the World by Golf Digest Index. Some 350 miles to the Southeast lies Cape Kidnappers which was ranked the 41st best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine. Opened in January 2008, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers features 26 luxury suites overlooking the golf course, farm, and Pacific Ocean.
On top of spectacular golf courses, each facility features extensive golf practice areas, gourmet dining, a spa, and numerous outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, and various adventure activities. Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers are both members of Relais and Chateaux. For more information, on the Kiwi Challenge please visit www.thekiwichallenge.com and for more information on the two golf courses please visit www.kauricliffs.com and www.capekidnappers.com
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