Jason Day crowned GOLFTV’s inaugural MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins champion

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Australia’s Jason Day is the inaugural MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins champion after a thrilling climax at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club in Chiba, Japan.

Produced by GOLFTV powered by PGA Tour and streamed to fans across the globe, Day claimed four skins in what proved to be a pivotal 17th hole to see off the challenge of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and local favourite Hideki Matsuyama in front of more than 2,000 fans.

Day, winner of the 2015 PGA Championship, said: “The event was great. I think the back and forth was nice. Hopefully the fans all around the world enjoyed the banter. Overall, it was a brilliant afternoon and evening. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever finished under lights so that was exciting.

“I haven’t actually watched a skins game before. Apparently Tiger has played six skins matches himself, and he hasn’t won one yet so I am one up on him which is good! This is nice, it was clean, within the game and we had fun out there. Hopefully I get the invite back next year.”

Alex Kaplan, President & General Manager Discovery Golf, commented: “We hoped to bring something fresh and fun for the players and viewers and I think it’s been a great day with some memorable moments for them. We’re encouraged by the response of viewers so far, but we’re still at the start of the journey for GOLFTV.  So we’ll continue to listen and learn from the feedback of our fans and and players and look to improve on what we have delivered here in Chiba.”

GOLFTV collaborated with FedEx and Discovery Inc. to support a number of charities during the event based around a series of challenge holes. FedEx will make a charitable donation for The Challenge: Japan Skins to International Youth Foundation and International Medical Corps. Throughout the event, Discovery supported Save the Children as part of its RISE initiative.

Final leaderboard
Jason Day (Aus) Skins won 8, $US210,000
Tiger Woods (USA) Skins won 5, $60,000
Rory McIlroy (Irl) Skins won 4, $60,000
Hideki Matusyama (Jap) Skins won 1, $20,000