London, October 10, 2018
Another sparkling edition of the innovative one-hole-knockout night Golf event, The Hero Challenge, was successfully hosted in London today. Played on a custom built floating arena on London’s Canary Wharf, the event saw some of the top golfers in world showcase their skills, under lights, as the audiences lined-up on the sides.
Andrew Johnston enthralled the gathered crowd with his stroke-play as he won the second Hero Challenge of 2018. Mr. Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO, Hero MotoCorp, presented the Hero Challenge trophy to Johnston.
Johnston beat back a strong challenge from World No. 2 and tournament host, Justin Rose, defending British Masters champion Paul Dunne, another home favourite and 2018 Hero Indian Open winner in Matt Wallace and Danish Ryder Cup heroes Thomas Bjørn and Thorbjørn Olesen.
The crowds chanted in a ‘Ryder Cup’ manner at the South Dock at Canary Wharf, which had the spectacular backdrop of skyscrapers with fans lining the area all around the water, making the atmosphere electric.
The players had to find ‘floating pontoon green’ off a custom built target platform being used as a tee-box. They were split into two groups, with each player having six shots to score as many points as they could. The top two players from each group advanced to the semi-finals.
A thrilled Johnston said, “To do it in front of the home fans is always good. I always get great support wherever I go but London is special because it’s my home.
Though he got knocked out before the final, Justin Rose said, “It was a great way to kick off the week. It was high energy and to see so many people come out and support it, there was a little bit of a Ryder Cup aftermath feel out there, with “Olé, Olé, Olés” and just having a good time. To be in the bright lights of London, iconic buildings all around us, and to be at Canary Wharf was a great way to start the week.”
Johnston, the only player to have played a Hero Challenge earlier, joined the illustrious list of previous Hero Challenge champions, which includes Alexander Levy, Lee Westwood, Patrick Reed, Li Haotong and Matt Kuchar.
With this edition, the Hero Challenge made its third consecutive appearance at the British Masters. For the first time audiences in India witnessed the live action on DSports.
Hero MotoCorp Ltd – the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer – introduced the Hero Challenge at the British Masters in 2016. The Company reaffirmed its commitment to innovation on the European Tour by extending the Hero Challenge by another three years and to three marquee events – the British Masters, Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
