Woods gets an endorsement deal out of a title sponsor

WINDEMERE, Fla. — Tiger Woods added another corporate deal, even though the logo won't show up anywhere on his clothing or golf bag.

It's also a familiar name to Woods — India-based Hero MotoCorp.

Hero announced in September that it has become title sponsor of the World Challenge that Woods hosts each December. The deal was announced at Isleworth, where Woods first met Hero managing director Pawan Munjal during the Tavistock Cup.

Woods played an exhibition with Munjal in New Delhi in February, and the relation has taken off.

"That only reinforced my conviction, but I always knew he was the best fit," Munjal said.

Munjal said worldwide recognition of Woods was among his greatest assets for a company that plans to enter 50 markets in the next couple of years and increase production of motorcycles and scooters to 12 million a year.

"He cuts across the globe — non-golfers, golfers, everyone," Munjal said. "I'm not looking at the athlete. I think he's probably one of the most famous celebrities. ... He is going to add a huge amount of value to the brand Hero, which clearly is going global in its intent and with its product and the brand."

Terms of the four-year deal were not disclosed.

Munjal said Woods will be used in television commercials and other advertising in various markets, though still to be determined is whether Woods actually rides one of the Hero motorcycles in a commercial. He still hasn't ridden one.

"I'm not sure if he necessarily has to be on a motorbike," Munjal said, adding that Woods sat on a motorcycle Tuesday for a still photo to be used in advertising.

The endorsement expanded Hero's presence in the sports market. Hero already is heavily invested in field hockey and soccer as the sponsor of teams and athletes. It's the golf side that is starting to take off.

Hero is believed to be the only company that sponsors golf tournaments on four tours — the PGA Tour, European Tour, Asian Tour and Ladies European Tour. The LET tournament is being held this week. The PGA Tour sanctions the Hero World Challenge, though it is unofficial.

MICKELSON TO THE DESERT: Phil Mickelson will put his new physique on display for the first time in the California desert.

The Humana Challenge announced Tuesday that Mickelson will make his 2015 debut at the tournament he has won two times. Mickelson used to be a regular at what was then the Bob Hope Classic, though he has played only four times in the past 10 years.

He last played in the Ryder Cup. Since then, Mickelson has been devoted to a fitness plan and is said to be in the best shape he has been in years.

Keegan Bradley, Brandt Snedeker, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson and FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel also announced plans to play at the Humana Challenge. Patrick Reed is the defending champion. The tournament is Jan. 22-25, the third event of the calendar year.

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And now it's moving again.

Tournament host Tiger Woods announced Tuesday that it will move next year to Albany in The Bahamas, where Woods once had property. Albany is in part of the ownership group that includes Isleworth.

Woods said it would be in The Bahamas for the next three years.

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KO TO COLLEGE: Fresh off her $1.5 million payoff at the CME Group Tour Championship, Lydia Ko received even better news. She has been accepted into the Korea University, one of the top colleges in Seoul.

Ko is No. 3 in the women's world ranking.

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CHINA WRAP: The PGA Tour China wrapped up its first season, sending two players from China to the Web.com Tour next year.

Li Hao-Tong won the final two events to win the Order of Merit. The rest of the top five on the money list — Brett Drewitt, Zhang Xin-Ju, Sam Chien and Todd Baek — also earn Web.com Tour status for next year.

"This is very exciting to me to know that I will play on the Web.com Tour next year," Li said. "I think I had a very good season, and I know that PGA Tour China — because it was such a great place to play against so many good players — has really helped me in preparation."

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CURTIS CUP: Jack Burke Jr. was a Ryder Cup captain twice. Now it's his wife's turn.

Robin Burke has been selected as U.S. captain for the Curtis Cup in 2016. The matches will be June 10-12 at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club outside Dublin. The Americans are coming off a 13-7 victory over Great Britain & Ireland earlier this year in St. Louis.

Burke was runner-up in the 1997 U.S. Women's Amateur and played in the Curtis Cup the following year, going 2-1. She has competed in 35 USGA championships, including the U.S. Women's Open three times. She also has played for Texas in the Women's State Team Championships four times.

Her husband is a two-time major champion and owner of Champions Golf Club in Houston, where Robin Burke serves as vice president.

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