Cape Kidnappers will feature on US television. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The picturesque Cape Kidnappers Golf Course will take centre stage in millions of American homes in mid-November.
The American television network NBC will feature the course's October 28 made-for-television clash between four of the world's best young golfers in the premium 4-6pm weekend time slot.
In what is
billed as the richest golf tournament to be held in New Zealand, Australian world No 4 Adam Scott, and Americans Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Hunter Mahan will try to tame the private course for US$2.6 million ($3.5 million) in prize money.
The winner will get a US$2 million cheque.
The two-round event, called the Kiwi Challenge, starts with 18 holes at Kauri Cliffs in Northland on Labour Day. The second round will be the next day at the 7119m Tom Doak-designed course.
"All proceeds from here will go to Hawkes Bay charities," said Cape Kidnappers' director of golf Jeremy Carlsen.
A limited number of spectator tickets go on sale from Friday.
All four players are ranked in the top 40 in the world - Kim at No 13, Mahan at No 36 and Snedeker at No 40. Scott, who turned 28 this month, is the oldest of the four and Kim, 23, the youngest.
New Zealand Titleist Academy coach Brian Doyle, of Hastings, said that apart from Scott, the other three players were not particularly well-known here.
But their world top-40 ranking indicated the standard of play in the US.
"Okay, they are not Tiger Woods ... but these guys will be good," Doyle said.
Scott, of Adelaide, said: "I'm a global player, but it's always nice to return to the Southern Hemisphere and to compete on two beautiful courses that are going to provide a great test of golf and a spectacular setting."
In May, Kim became the youngest PGA Tour winner in six years when he took the Wachovia Championship.
He cruised home at 16-under par to break Tiger Woods' event record by three shots.
Snedeker, 27, said: "My fiancee, Mandy Toth, and I are getting married right before the Kiwi Challenge in October, and this will be a honeymoon to remember."
A two-time All-American at Oklahoma State, Mahan earned his first PGA victory last year.
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