MOJO 6 LIVES UP TO HYPE; TELECAST MAY 1/ 2 ON CBS TV World's Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, on-hand for debut of new, fast-paced format
The dust has settled, the results are in . . . but the real story is how the unique, new Raceway Golf™ format – which tests the limits of the world's best athletes through a faster, shorter, more cutthroat type of competition – will change the game. The hotly debated new format, debuted at the inaugural Mojo 6 (www.themojo6.com), proved to be everything it set out to be, and more, as 16 elite players battled for their share of the $1 million purse. And Jamaica's own, Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man, was on-hand to help kick off arguably the fastest, most intense format of golf, trading in his track spikes for a pair of golf spikes and teeing up with the help of Mojo 6 players, Christina Kim and Paula Creamer.
And Usain's golf lesson was just the first of many incredible, memorable moments. Eagles, birdies and long-shot chips highlighted what is sure to be "don't miss TV" on CBS May 1 & 2, at 2:00 p.m. EDT. "I love this format, it's really challenging, fun and you just never know what's coming," said Christina Kim, who made it to the second day. "I think this is the best entertainment women's golf has seen in a while. The format changes everything, the buzz among players and fans alike is high, and the head-to-head competition is even higher. "
Unlike the dry play of most tournament golf, the innovative Raceway Golf pitted 16 of the top players against each other in a series of six-hole matches. And the head-to-head match-ups proved successful as friendships were laid to rest and the intense competitors took the gloves off to call out their opponents, an unusual spin, that added extra heat to the tournament.
"Sitting on the sidelines injured and commentating was frustrating, as I wanted to be in the mix. But it did, however, give me the unique perspective to watch Raceway Golf from the fan's viewpoint. I've played in a lot of tournaments and The Mojo 6 was suspenseful, intense and really captivating for the fans," noted LPGA star and Mojo 6 and CBS commentator, Paula Creamer. "The action was non-stop. If player and fan endorsements are any indicator, Raceway Golf is here to stay. I am already looking forward to the next one."
"The Mojo 6 is golf like you've never imagined it," noted Ed Moses, Olympic champion and co-founder of Mojo. "Normally players can put their blinders on and try to beat the course, but in Raceway Golf, it's survival of the fittest. It's not about your score; it's about beating the person standing in front of you."
The event kicked off with "The Red Carpet Match-Up Party" at the Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay, where the girls smiled for the cameras at the same time they were preparing to turn friends into enemies in picking who they wanted to take on. Day One of the two-day tournament was highlighted by LPGA-ranked veterans trying to prey on rookies and amateurs in the hopes of racking up points to secure their spot in the final group of eight that advanced to round two, Championship Day. Sixteen- year-old teen golf phenom and amateur, Mariah Stackhouse, and LPGA rookie, Beatriz Recari, whom fans voted into the tournament as the 16th and final spot in the field, were targeted by more established, veteran players who picked them first or second each time.
Suzann Pettersen, who is number three in the Rolex World Rankings, the highest ranked player in the field and fresh off a close, second-place finish at the Nabisco Championship, not surprisingly picked the unknown, fresh-faced Stackhouse. When asked about it, Pettersen made no effort to hide her strategy, saying quite honestly, "We're not running a charity here."
While some of the more notable matches appeared lop-sided on paper, as the day progressed and more strategy came into play, rookies and younger, less battle-tested players proved they were up to the challenge. "I'm not scared of anyone, I want to play the best, so I can beat the best," said 22-year-old LPGA rookie, Beatriz Recari, who played well enough to advance to the single elimination second day.
After an intense Day One, replete with plenty of playoff hole drama, the final eight girls left standing in the field on Day Two came ready for battle. In single elimination, bracket-style play, there were no second chances, and no shortage of playoffs, water balls and lipped putts. And in the end it came down to the final hole, as All-American rookie Amanda Blumenherst faced off against former major LPGA champion, Anna Nordqvist, who bested the rookie 1-up over the final, tension-filled six holes.
For more information about the event, being telecast on CBS May 1 & 2, 2 p.m. EDT, or to view a roundtable discussion featuring Paula Creamer, Christina Kim and Suzann Pettersen, please visit www.themojo6.com.
