Woods vs McIlroy "Clash at the Mini Ryder Cup"

Charity Golf Tournament Pains Valley Cup Launches, Thomas and Rose Join for US vs Europe '2-on-2 Match'

Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose (from left) will clash at the Payne's Valley Cup. Photo by Golf Channel

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The 'resurrected golf emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) will clash in the 'mini Ryder Cup.'

On the 23rd (Korean time), the Payne's Valley Cup will be held at Payne's Valley Golf Course in Ridgedale, Missouri, USA. It is a charity golf tournament held in memory of Payne Stewart (USA), who tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 42 in 1999. Stewart, a native of Missouri, won a total of 18 PGA Tour titles including three majors, and passed away shortly after winning his second US Open. He was known as the most gentlemanly and well-mannered player in golf history.

Since 2000, the PGA Tour has awarded the Payne Stewart Award to players who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and lead in charitable and social contributions. The battleground is a public course first designed by TGR Design, the design group operated by Woods. To honor the respected Stewart, the golf course was named Payne's Valley Golf Course. All proceeds are donated to society through the Payne Stewart Family Foundation.

The lineup of players is spectacular. Along with Woods, who holds the record for the most PGA Tour wins with 82 victories, world number 3 Justin Thomas (USA), number 4 McIlroy, and 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist Justin Rose (England) will participate. The combined total of their wins is an impressive 123. All have been ranked world number 1 and have major championship victories. The format is the same as the Ryder Cup, the golf competition between the USA and Europe.

Woods and Thomas form the USA team, while McIlroy and Rose form the Europe team, competing in foursomes (two players alternate shots with one ball), fourballs (each player plays their own ball and the best score counts), and singles matches. The event will be broadcast on the Golf Channel, and players will wear microphones while playing. Woods said, "Payne's Valley is the first public course I designed," adding, "I am proud to reveal it like this."