By Rahul Banerji
The Ernie Els designed Albany golf course in the Bahamas will host the Hero World Challenge for a fourth year in succession with Hero MotoCorp announcing that it would sponsor the event again for its 2018 edition.
It was, however, confirmed to www.teetimetales.com that the sponsorship would be for four years, matching the first agreement between the Indian motorcycle manufacturer and event host Tiger Woods back n 2014.
Woods has seen a resurgence of his career since a comeback earlier this year that has carried him back into the top echelons of the world rankings.
Interestingly, the PGA Tour calendar had listed the Hero World Challenge in its schedule almost three weeks ago.
Rickie Fowler (2017), Hideki Matsuyama (2016) and Bubba Watson (2015) are the previous winners of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Jordan Speith took the title at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida, in 2014, its inaugural year.
In a statement on Wednesday, TGR Live and Tavistock Group said the 2018 Hero World Challenge would be played between November 29 and December 2, featuring tournament host Woods and an invitation-only field.
Tiger’s thanks
“The Hero World Challenge has evolved into a global event highlighting the world’s best golfers year after year,” said Tiger Woods, who was recently to the US Ryder Cup team for the first time since 2012.
“I’d like to thank Pawan Munjal and Hero MotoCorp for their continued support of the tournament. Together with Tavistock Group, we are very excited to continue growing the Hero World Challenge at Albany.”
Added Hero MotoCorp chairman, managing director and CEO Pawan Munjal, “Together with Tiger Woods and the TGR Foundation, we have had a memorable journey over the past four years, and we are glad to further build on this highly enriching relationship.
“This is a unique platform that brings together the best of the global golfing world… Undoubtedly, this marquee tournament has been a significant catalyst and enabler in the ever-rising global profile of Hero MotoCorp.”
Munjal heads the world’s largest manufacturer of two-wheelers which has held that status for the last 17 years.
The Hero World Challenge is a four-round, 72-hole stroke play event with a $3.5 million purse, a $1 million winner’s prize and Official World Golf Ranking points awarded.
It will be held at Albany’s par-72, 7,302-yard championship course for the fourth consecutive year.
The Hero World Challenge benefits TGR Foundation, the Tavistock Foundation and the Bahamas Youth Foundation.
Besides golf, Hero MotoCorp has also been associated with cricket, field hockey and football for over two decades. Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is Hero’s global corporate partner.
Read also: Ryder Cup slot a fitting tribute to Tiger Woods’ tenacity
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