The Return of Tiger Woods to Mission Hills Gains the Most Popular Acclaim in China

HAINAN, China, Oct. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 28, international golfing superstars Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllory will play a high-profile exhibition match at Mission Hills Haikou. Though this is Tiger's third visit to Mission Hills, the match has again become a phenomenal hit in China, while a ticket is hard to get, demonstrating Tiger's influence still remains unparalleled.

Tiger Woods has visited Mission Hills on two occasions. Back in 2001, when Tiger Woods was the unchallenged leader, he was invited to Mission Hills by Mission Hills' late founder, Dr. David Chu. It was his inaugural visit to Mission Hills, and he left an indelible impression in the hearts and minds of all Chinese fans. The trip was organized shortly after the 9/11 attack in New York, and was Wood's first appearance in China. The match attracted a large number of international media to Mission Hills and it also catalysed the growth of fan base and popularity of the game of golf.

Tiger Woods' second trip to Mission Hills was a decade later in 2011. He came to Mission Hills to promote golf educational activities and to demonstrate golf for the public. This event once again attracted huge crowds of spectators, and also opened a new chapter in Tiger Woods' life.

This will be Tiger Woods' third trip to Mission Hills and also his debut at Mission Hills Haikou. He has regained his world number one ranking early this year and once again was named PGA Tour Player of the Year in September.

"The Match at Mission Hills is geared to be a great contest with the great setting in Haikou, and I'm excited about playing there for the first time. I've heard a lot of good things about Blackstone, so it looks like a great location for the re-match with Rory, whom I know has played there before in the World Cup. I've played at Mission Hills on the mainland, but this will be my first time playing at their Haikou's resort and I'm looking forward to visiting Hainan Island for the first time," Tiger said.

"I'm hoping to win this time. I've had a really good year on the PGA Tour, so it would be nice to earn another trophy in China," Woods continued.