According to a report by ESPN Senior Golf Writer Bob Harig, Tiger Woods and his team are finalizing a series of matches to be played in Asia later this year. The matches would be done to coincide with the PGA Tour’s Asian Swing.
From Bob’s story:
Mark Steinberg, Woods’ agent, told ESPN.com that the likely first destination is Japan, where the golfer would possibly take on another player or invite a series of players for a one-day competition, format to be determined. And it would not have any impact on future matches that involve Phil Mickelson.
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg is looking at Japan for the first event, likely involving Hideki Matsuyama, Japan’s highest ranked Tour player.
The events are part of Tiger’s new partnership deal with Discovery and GolfTV.
The Asia matches are part of Woods’ endorsement deal with Discovery for which he has been providing content to GolfTV, an entity that does interviews and other things with Woods for a market that presently does not include the United States. Discovery pays Woods and also has a rights deal with the PGA Tour. Steinberg said it is “unclear” if any such event would be available for viewing in the United States.
As for the next edition of Tiger and Phil’s The Match? Well Steinberg left a lot of possibilities up in the air when it comes to that one.
“There are a lot of factors that go into it but this does not affect whether or not we do the next iteration of Tiger and Phil, whatever that might look like,” Steinberg said. “That’s a different domestic deal we’ve constructed with Turner. We still think (the Friday following Thanksgiving) is a great day. We think that’s a date we could own.”
Regardless of who Tiger plays or where he plays, there’s no question that it will bring with it an audience. The fact that he is looking to expand into Asia is a good sign as it pertains to continuing to grow the game around the world.
Who would you want to see play in a match against Tiger in Asia? Tell us in the comment section below.