2012 World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club
Northwestern Mutual signs on as presenting sponsor
of 14th annual event at Sherwood Country Club
Sherwood Country Club
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Tiger Woods Foundation welcomes Northwestern Mutual as the new presenting sponsor of the 14th annual World Challenge, to be held Nov. 28-Dec. 2 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif. The elite 18-player field will include 13 members from this year’s Ryder Cup teams, the winner of the Masters at Augusta, the U.S. Open champion and the 2012 FedExCup champion. Joining host and defending champion Tiger Woods in pursuit of the $1 million top prize are Keegan Bradley, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Dustin Johnson, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Steve Stricker and Bubba Watson. Also participating are European Ryder Cup standouts Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, along with Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bo Van Pelt and Nick Watney.
Northwestern Mutual
“We are extremely excited about the depth and talent of our field, and are looking forward to another exciting tournament,” Woods said. “Northwestern Mutual has been a great partner to my Foundation over the years, and we are pleased they will take on the role of presenting sponsor.”
“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s World Challenge to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation,” said John E. Schlifske, chairman and CEO of Northwestern Mutual. “Northwestern Mutual, in addition to helping people achieve financial security, shares a common goal of helping secure the education, health and development of young people so they experience better tomorrows.”
Last year, Woods birdied the last two holes to overtake Zach Johnson and win the event for a record fifth time (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2011). Furyk captured the tournament in 2009, while McDowell prevailed in 2010.
This year’s field has combined for 19 PGA TOUR wins, including two major championships (Watson at the Masters and Simpson at the U.S. Open) in 2012. Woods leads the way with three individual victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Memorial Tournament and the AT&T National. Snedeker (Farmers Insurance Open, TOUR Championship and FedEx Cup champion); Mahan (WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Shell Houston Open); Dufner (Zurich Classic of New Orleans, HP Byron Nelson Classic); and Zach Johnson (Crowne Plaza Invitational, John Deere Classic) all have multiple wins.
Other 2012 winners include: Stricker (Hyundai Tournament of Champions); Fowler (Wells Fargo Championship); Kuchar (THE PLAYERS Championship); Dustin Johnson (FedEx St. Jude Classic); Bradley (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational); and Watney (The Barclays).
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Sherwood Country Club became the host site in 2000. All but one tournament has been played on the challenging and scenic 7,052-yard, par-72 layout. The lone exception was in 1999, when the event was played at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
There is no cut in the 72-hole event, and the last-place finisher still earns $120,000. Proceeds benefit the college-access programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation.
The World Challenge will be televised live on Golf Channel, Nov. 28 and 29 from 12-3 p.m. PT, and receive live network coverage on NBC, Dec. 1 and 2 from 12-3 p.m. PT. Tickets, which start as low as $30, can be purchased online, in person or by calling 1-800-594-TIXX. For further information, visit WorldChallengeGolf.com.