GOLFTV RELEASES FINAL PLANS FOR TOKYO SKINS MATCH

With a combined 479 test caps and three Rugby World Cup winner’s medals between them, George Gregan (Australia), Bryan Habana (South Africa), Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland and British & Irish Lions) and Mike Tindall (England) will take on a challenge alongside four of the biggest names in golf.

Currently in Japan for the Rugby World Cup 2019, the four legends will travel to Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan where Tiger Woods will go head-to-head with reigning FedExCup champion and PGA TOUR Player of the Year Rory McIlroy and multiple-time PGA TOUR winners Jason Day and Hideki Matsuyama in a globally-televised skins game.

Rugby World Cup 2003 winner Mike Tindall is relishing the opportunity to share centre stage with four of the world’s greatest golfers: “This is an amazing opportunity to be up close with some of the best players that have ever played the game. I am so excited to be able to watch them from inside the ropes. When you look at Tiger and Rory, they’re so robust mentally. They have each had their challenges over their career but have always managed to overcome them and end up on top which is the toughest side to sport so you can only salute them for this.”

Commenting on why golf is a favourite hobby among rugby players, former Springbok Bryan Habana said: “In my opinion it is because of the social element but also the ability to immerse yourself in another sporting environment that tests you in so many different ways than on a rugby field. Add to that some of the amazing countries and golf courses that you get an opportunity to visit, it makes the reasoning that much more enticing.”

Full details of the legends’ challenge – as well as a host of other unconventional in-game twists - will be unveiled on the day.

GOLFTV is also working with FedEx on the company’s FedEx Cares 50 by 50 journey to positively impact 50 million people around the world by their 50th anniversary in 2023– and Discovery – the global leader in real-life entertainment and parent company of GOLFTV – to support a number of charities through special initiatives during the event.

Experienced broadcaster Rich Lerner will host GOLFTV’s international coverage of the event with analysis from 1991 Open Championship winner Ian Baker-Finch. Henni Zuel and Geoff Ogilvy will be the course presenters.

This month, MGM Resorts has been confirmed as the title partner of the competition which is officially named MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins.

Full re-cap of MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins

Tee-off time
1pm (Tokyo), 6am (CEST), 5am (London), 12am (U.S. Eastern time)

How to watch
Fans can enjoy the event for free* by registering with GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR (outside of the U.S.) and visiting https://challenge.golf.tv for more information. The Golf Channel will simulcast the event in the U.S.

The event purse
Players will be competing for a total purse of $350,000 USD for the selected charity partners, with hole values divided as follows:

Holes 1 through 6: $10,000 per skin
Holes 7 through 12: $15,000 per skin
Holes 13 through 17: $20,000 per skin
Hole 18: $100,000 super skin

Challenge Holes
During the event, three holes played will include an unconventional twist with additional monetary value in support of our charitable partners. Details of these extra challenges will be revealed during the live broadcast.

Charity partners
GOLFTV is delighted to collaborate with FedEx and Discovery Inc. to support a number of charities during the event. FedEx will make a charitable donation for The Challenge: Japan Skins to International Youth Foundation and International Medical Corps. Discovery will support Save the Children as part of its RISE initiative.

Promotional material
Last week, GOLFTV released a brilliant video to promote MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins. The promo, featuring Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day being taught the intricacies of Japanese culture by Hideki Matsuyama, has been viewed over 1.1m times on GOLFTV’s social media platforms since going live. Click HERE to see the full video.

MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins kicks off the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP week, sponsored by ZOZO, Inc. – the first-ever official PGA TOUR event to be played in Japan.

*Due to existing rights agreements in the UK and Ireland, fans will be required to subscribe to watch The Challenge. Passes start at £4.99/month.