Tiger Woods began earning his $3 million Turkish Airlines Open appearance fee on Tuesday by putting on a ball-striking exhibition when he hit orbs from one continent to another off the Istanbul side of the Bosphorus Bridge.
Tiger Woods’ golf show causes traffic headaches in congested Istanbul
So this is what the organizers of the Turkish Airlines Open meant when they said Tiger Woods ‘brings with him much more than golf.’ The world No. 1 kicked off the Euro Tour event by striking golf balls from a bridge that links Asia and Europe.
Warren Little
The exhibition, which Turkish government officials had to compress into one hour from a planned five due to “outrage” from locals, according to The Telegraph, was quite the production. International Sports Management’s Chubby Chandler, chronicled the event via Twitter.
About to hit into Europe !! pic.twitter.com/uv8hGpTSpG
— chubby chandler (@chubby6665) November 5, 2013
Tiger may have pleased his hosts with the publicity stunt but he likely did little to curry favor with the the citizenry of Istanbul. The closure of the bridge, which spans the Istanbul Strait and links Asia to Europe, required drivers in what is reportedly an extremely congested area at any hour to take alternate routes.
Woods, who apparently hopped off a 12-hour flight and onto the 5,118-foot-long overpass, may have had officials in a bit of a twist by being tardy for the show.
Tiger late .... Lots panicking ... Bridge can only be closed so long !
— chubby chandler (@chubby6665) November 5, 2013
Just about to get started ... pic.twitter.com/GxkA98pRVt
— chubby chandler (@chubby6665) November 5, 2013
Warming up 20 mins after a 12 hour flight ... pic.twitter.com/v3oezOoVjY
— chubby chandler (@chubby6665) November 5, 2013
Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel are among a bevy of Chandler’s clients who will appear with Woods in this week’s European Tour event at The Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek, Antalya.
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