Tokyo, Japan: Tiger-mania returned to Asia with the 14-time Major champion wooing audiences in China and Japan during a whirlwind visit to the region.
Sharing his passion for coaching with selected youngsters, Tiger Woods followed up a Shanghai stopover with a visit to Tokyo ‘to further inspire young golf athletes and help energise the sport in Asia’.
The trip was organised by Nike Golf, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Woods conducted a clinic for 72 lucky golfers at the Hanz Golf Club in Yokohama. The fans were selected through an online write-in contest where they shared their passion and commitment for the sport of golf.
Woods took the group through his normal warm-up routine and provided insights about achieving both distance and accuracy.
“I have a passion for coaching,” said Woods. “It’s always fun for me to share my insights and see an immediate improvement in those who want to learn. It’s like watching a light bulb switch on. It’s a cool feeling.”
Before meeting with golf fans at the Nike Store in Harajuku, Woods surprised fans by hosting a hitting contest at Tokyo’s famed Shinjuku train station. With more than 750,000 people passing through every day, the Shinjuku station is considered to be the busiest in the world.
Woods competed with three golfers in a lob-shot contest and a driving distance competition at the centre of the busy railway station.
“My trip to Japan was a lot of fun. It was a perfect ending to an amazing trip,” said Woods. “Nike is a great partner in bringing energy to this sport that I love. With this visit to Asia, I hope we were able to influence many to either take up the sport for the first time or inspire those who already play golf, to play more.”
Woods began his latest Asian sortie with a second visit to China with Nike in five years.
Woods spent a day at the Nike campus in Shanghai meeting with employees, young golf athletes and legendary basketball star Yao Ming.

“It’s great to be back in China once again with Nike. The enthusiasm I’ve seen here is infectious and it was great to speak to so many Chinese golf fans,” said Woods. “There are a lot of young and talented athletes here with huge potential to bring golf in China to the next level.”

Woods connected with Shanghai native Yao on their shared love for the game of golf. Yao, an eight-time NBA All-Star and current owner of the Shanghai Knights basketball team, is a passionate golfer.
Woods also spent time instructing approximately 40 junior golfers, providing insights on different aspects of the game. Nike had converted its campus football pitch into a small golf course for the day.
Woods judged the Vapor City Challenge Final contest, a regional contest, and personally presented one individual and three team awards for driving distance, chipping and putting accuracy.