The Challenge: Japan Skins match between Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Hideki Matsuyama and Jason Day confirmed

The Challenge: Japan Skins match confirmed as Tiger Woods takes on Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Jason Day ahead of next month’s ZOZO Championship

The much talked about skins match has been confirmed for October 21 (at 13:00 JST / 05:00 GMT), with Tiger Woods taking on Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama and Jason Day ahead of the inaugural ZOZO Championship in Japan. 

The news of the upcoming skins match was announced on social media, and will be staged at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan, on the Monday of the ZOZO Championship at the same venue. This will mark the first time a PGA Tour event has been staged in Japan. 

The event introduces a return to the “skins” format, in which each player tries to win every hole outright to earn the money value, or “skin,” assigned to each hole. The skins’ value will have an increasing amount of money assigned to it, leading to a “super skin” finale under the lights. The purse will be $350,00.

All four players will be mic’d up throughout the event and the last few holes of will be broadcasted under the lights as fans experience day to night golf. The play will also feautre TopTracer shot tracking, live on-screen statistics and Virtual Eye 3D hole animations. 

Woods, who will be making his first start since undergoing arthroscopic surgery to repair minor cartilage damage on his left knee, confirmed the news through his social media accounts, last played in Japan 13 years ago. 

“I haven’t played a skins format in quite some time, so it will be fun to try something a little different and add a few strategic elements as we compete,” said Woods, who lost the $9million match against Phil Mickelson last year in Las Vegas.

“There has already been some friendly banter between us and that will continue until we get to the first tee.”

McIlroy, who spoke about the skins format at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier in the week, said, “I’m a huge fan of the skins format. I love the way it rewards attacking play and think it suits my game quite well.

“Any time I can go directly at pins to try and make birdies and eagles, I think it puts me at an advantage. The other fun thing about skins is how you find yourself rooting for the other guys if you’re not in a position to win the hole.

“You’re hoping they can tie with someone else so you can play for that skin on the next hole. With the skins format, you’re always in it until the end.”

Viewers in the UK and Ireland will be required to subscribe to GOLFTV to watch. Passes start at £4.99 a month.