Golf: Mahan, Kim to renew rivalry at Cape Kidnappers

Hunter Mahan will defend his Kiwi Challenge title he won at Cape Kidnappers last year. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawke's Bay's picturesque Cape Kidnappers golf course and a US$1 million winner's cheque have tempted four of the world's top young golfers to New Zealand shores.

Hunter Mahan and Anthony Kim have confirmed they will renew their rivalry at November's Kiwi Challenge golf event, which offers a total purse of US$2 million ($2.90 million).

They will be joined this year by fellow American Sean O'Hair and Colombia's Camilo Villegas for the made-for-television 36-hole strokeplay event on November 11 and 12.

Last year's event was won by Mahan, 27, who said he played some of his best golf ever on the final holes.

"So I'd sure call it one of my favourite places for a few reasons. The course is fantastic and the views are incredible; like nothing I've ever seen before," he said.

Kim, 24, said the course and setting were "spectacular" , and was keen to go one better than last year, when Mahan caught him on the final nine regulation holes with a stunning 30.

The four golfers combined already have eight PGA Tour wins, more than 80 top-10 finishes and nearly US$40 ($58) million in career winnings.

There is little separating the quartet in terms of world rankings, with Villegas ranked 16, Kim 18, O'Hair 20 and Mahan 26.

- NZPA