Tiger Woods Expected to Make $2 Million for Losing to Rory McIlroy in Chinese Exhibition

by NESN Staff on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 11:34PM

Golf fans looking for a one-on-one matchup between the game’s two biggest names finally got their wish on Monday, as Tiger Woods took on Rory McIlroy in Shanghai, China in an 18-hole exhibition.

Dubbed “The Duel at Jinsha Lake,” the event was more than just a golf match, but a spectacle designed to raise the game’s profile in the reason. According to The Associated Press, stunt planes performed overhead while a fleet of Rolls Royce cars drove the players to the course, where helicopters, Aston Martins and Maseratis were displayed for sale — complete with showgirls.

The golf itself may have been almost secondary, but, for the record, McIlroy bested the elder Woods by one stroke, shooting a 5-under 67. Likewise, both players competed the day before, as Woods finished a PGA Tour event in Malaysia, while Mcllroy finished second in a European Tour event in Shanghai.

The result of the match, however, had nothing to do with each player’s appearance fee.

Although McIlroy came out on top, he earned $1 million compared to Woods’ $2 million, underscoring the fact that Woods’ brand still remains relatively strong in spite of his Thanksgiving 2009 career turning point. It’s just a bit strange to see the winner come $1 million short of the runner-up.

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