UK sports calendar returns
As UK sport readies itself for a comeback, one of Ireland’s top sports betting companies has brought together renowned professional-amateur celebrities to compete in the Paddy Power Golf Shootout.
Top-billing names in the ten-player roster include England soccer captain Harry Kane, Danish Ryder Cup star Thomas Bjorn, and controversial UK TV talk-show host Piers Morgan. Contestants are already displaying competitive spirit on Twitter ahead of the event.
The shootout will be subject to a robust, government-sanctioned COVID-19 testing process. All participants and production crew will be tested prior to the event, which will take place behind closed doors at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire, southern England.
Event to go live on YouTube, Twitter
Paddy Power has announced a number of challenges for the participants, from golf pong – a twist on the classic beer pong – to blind putting. The Irish sportsbook revealed that the Golf Shootout will be available live via its YouTube and Twitter accounts, with commentary from top talkSPORT presenter Georgie Bingham.
event starts at 12pm Friday
The event starts at 12pm Friday. From the group of ten pro-am participants, two teams of five will be chosen to compete. Five professionals, namely Tommy Fleetwood, Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, Thomas Bjorn, Carly Booth, and Paul McGinley, will be mixed with the five celebrities Harry Kane, Piers Morgan, Peter Crouch, Freddie Flintoff, and Jamie Redknapp.
Tournament includes challenges, shootout
The Paddy Power Golf Shootout tees off at 3:45pm in a round-robin format leading to a final. Each player has three balls in each match. The aim is to score the most points by getting closest to the pin, with three points for a win, one point for a draw, and zero points for a loss.
Celebs and pros will be aiming at different targets, with the Pro Pin set tightly against a bunker and the celebs’ Paddy Pin located in the heart of the green.
Relief for coronavirus-hit industry
Paddy Power is offering odds on multiple outcomes on its website. The betting action is expected to provide some respite after Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of Paddy Power, Betfair, and FanDuel, warned shareholders that earnings could drop by up to £110m ($135.6m) if sporting event restrictions remained in place until August.
We’ve all been waiting for an event like this”
“We’ve all been waiting for an event like this to showcase the return of golf,” said English golfer Tommy Fleetwood, who is ranked No. 10 in the world. “There’s some great personalities taking part […] so I know it will be a fun watch for everyone.”