Tiger Woods Returns to Australia to Defend His 2009 Australian Masters Title

Jetting in to Melbourne on Tuesday, 9 November 2010, Tiger Woods headed for the Crowne Plaza Hotel and attended a gala function there the same night. On Wednesday, he played in a pro-am tournament finishing several shots over par.

The JBWere 2010 PGA Australian Masters Tournament to be played at Victoria Golf Club from 11 - 14 November. Tiger Woods desperately needs to win this tournament. With a form slump no doubt partly brought on by his self-inflicted personal situation that started on his return from Melbourne to the US last year, the beleaguered golfer needs to prove to himself and golfing fans world-wide that he still has what it takes to take home another gold jacket and trophy from Australia.

With Tiger are his long-time caddie, Steve Williams, and new coach, Canadian Sean Foley, who is helping Tiger to modify his swing. Woods is obviously working on his game in light of poor performances at most of the tournaments he has played since his five month leave of absence from the game. Last week in the HSBC Champions tournament in China, Woods finished in a tie for sixth after rounds of 68, 72, 73 and 68. He said yesterday that the swing changes were a work in progress.

2010 Australian Masters - fantastic line-up of international contenders

The Victorian Government has again funded part of the AU$3 million appearance fee that Tiger Woods will receive just for showing up. He tees off today as a hot tournament favorite, however he has some top Australians and overseas players to contend with.

JBWere Masters event owner and promoter, IMG, has announced that The Victoria Golf Club will play host to the strongest field in the 31 year history of the Masters. Australia's #1 ranked player Robert Allenby has confirmed his participation and will challenge for his third gold jacket against World #2 and defending champion Tiger Woods. Spaniard Sergio Garcia, Columbian Camilo Villegas and Victoria's own Geoff Ogilvy are also in the field.

Woods, Garcia, Villegas, Ogilvy and Allenby have all been ranked in the top 15 in the Official World Golf Rankings during the course of 2010. Other leading Australian players include Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Mathew Goggin, Matthew Jones, James Nitties, Peter O'Malley, Craig Parry and Peter Senior.

The JBWere Masters has also extended invitations to two of the world's leading amateur golfers Jin Jeong and Matt Jager. Jeong, a South Korean residing in Melbourne, is the current British Amateur champion and was the silver medallist at The Open Championship at St. Andrews in July where he finished 14th.

Matt Jager from Perth is the current Australian Amateur Stroke Play Champion and winner of the 2010 Australian and New Zealand Amateur Championships.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Tim Holding said: "Melbourne is home to some of the world's best golf courses. We are thrilled to welcome Tiger Woods back and we know that the JBWere Masters will be another massive boost to tourism and to Victoria's reputation for holding world class sporting events."

Vice President, Director of Golf - IMG Australia, David Rollo reported that the 2010 JBWere Masters was set to build on the unprecedented success of last year's tournament.

"The 2009 JBWere Masters set a new benchmark for Australian golf. The tournament attracted record crowds and television audiences while delivering in excess of $34 million to the Victorian economy.

"Ticket sales are progressing well with Grandstand seating on the 18th sold out on both Saturday and Sunday and all corporate hospitality on the 18th hole is at capacity.

"In addition to the outstanding support of the Victorian Government and our naming rights partner JBWere, the event has also attracted the strongest commercial program in the history of the Masters. Associate Partners Cussons Imperial Leather and News Limited are joined by Crown Melbourne who have extended their partnership with the event through 2011 and will be the presenting partner of the Gala Dinner."

"We are also delighted to announce that Hyundai Motor Company will become our fourth Associate Partner and will be the Official Vehicle of the tournament through 2012.

"Finally we would like to make special acknowledgment of Spotless who have extended their 31 year partnership with the Masters until 2014. The outstanding support of all our partners drives our vision for the continued growth of the JBWere Masters," said Mr Rollo.

Max Garske, CEO PGA Australia commented: "The 2009 JBWere Masters had a considerable impact on golf participation in Australia."

"PGA Members across the country reported significant round increases at the time of and following the event and this was supported by data recently published by the Australian Golf Industry Council."

"This is an encouraging trend for golf and shows the direct impact of having the world's best players compete in PGA Tour of Australasia events."

"This year's field looks to be the best ever assembled for the Masters in its 31 year history, and we expect that its impact on golf will be just as if not more significant."

In addition to the corporate partners already referenced, the expanded JBWere Masters sponsor family includes Nikon, Strategic Aviation, Telstra BigPond, Tag Heuer, The Langham Melbourne, Coopers 62, Drummond Golf, Amadio Wines and Titleist.

The 2010 JBWere Masters will again be broadcast on all four days on both Channel Nine and FOX SPORTS.

Tournament organizers have warned 2010 Australian Masters Tournament spectators that any heckling of Woods regarding his personal fall from grace last year will earn them a speedy exit from the gallery. It is now time to let Tiger get on with his golf without being distracted by mention of past events that have received sufficient media coverage and social comment. It will be interesting to see whether Woods can claim victory which would certainly give his confidence a boost at the end of what must have been a nightmare of a year.

To see the world's best golfers play at the JBWere Masters visit www.ticketek.com.au

Sources:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/golf/new-swing-for-woods-is-still-a-work-in-progress-20101110-17noc.html

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/golf/woods-returning-to-melbourne-a-mere-mortal-after-year-in-purgatory-20101107-17j0b.html

http://www.iseekgolf.com/news/40283-victoria-attracts-record-masters-field

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