Battle will give LPGA prime-time exposure
Associated Press
PALM DESERT, Calif. — Tiger Woods has carried the PGA Tour to record levels of exposure since he turned pro five years ago. Tonight, in another prime-time exhibition, the LPGA Tour gets to come along for the ride.
Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb will share some of the spotlight in this year's episode of the "Battle at Bighorn" when they hook up with Woods and British Open champion David Duval in a mixed team, alternate-shot match.
Associated Press
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Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam will team up.
Associated Press
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And David Duvall and Karrie Webb will try to beat them.
The winning team — Woods and Sorenstam vs. Duval and Webb — will split $1.2 million of the $1.7 million purse in an 18-hole match that will be televised by ABC Sports (7 p.m. on KITV, Channel 4).
"This is prime-time TV," Sorenstam said. "We don't get the chance too often."
ABC got a 6.9 rating from the first prime-time duel in 1999, when Woods defeated Duval in the "Showdown at Sherwood." A year ago, the ratings increased to a 7.6, as Sergio Garcia beat Woods at Bighorn.
"I think it's great for their exposure, for the LPGA Tour," Woods said. "That's one of the reasons why they're going to try to capitalize on that and try to help out their tour by playing in this match."
Said Webb: "I think it's going to be great TV. It's just four of the best players in the world pairing up and playing against one another.
