Premier League icons, Champions League legends, and international stars will swap football boots for golf clubs this weekend – with one hole promising a prize like no other.
Getting a hole-in-one is a prize in itself, but it often comes with something extra attached. More often than not, that “reward” is an unwritten obligation to buy everyone in the bar a drink. But occasionally, at corporate days or pro-ams, there might be a car parked beside the green, a luxury watch, or a free holiday waiting for the lucky golfer to produce the perfect shot.
But even opportunities like that pale into insignificance compared to what awaits in Bangkok this weekend – where a single hole will offer a $10 million prize for an ace.
The ‘$10M Swing’ returns as part of the Reignwood Icons of Football, a fast-paced, 10-hole matchplay event where football legends swap boots for golf shoes and take on old rivalries in a Team England vs. Team World contest.
Here are the teams:
Team England (captained by Danny Willett): Jimmy Bullard, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Joe Hart, Paul Ince, Phil Jagielka, Jermain Jenas, Phil Jones, Lee Sharpe, Teddy Sheringham, John Terry, Theo Walcott.
Team World (captained by Thomas Bjørn): Gareth Bale, Gabriel Batistuta, Nigel De Jong, Ryan Giggs, David Ginola, Ruud Gullit, Henrik Larsson, Aaron Ramsey, John Arne Riise, Andriy Shevchenko, Dwight Yorke, Gianfranco Zola.
Team England are defending champions, having taken the spoils in last year’s inaugural event.
These are players conditioned to thrive under pressure – penalty shootouts, title deciders, Champions League nights – now faced with a single golf shot that could rewrite the sport’s record books.
Danny Willett, Team England Captain: “Taking on the captaincy for Team England is a challenge I’m really looking forward to. We’ve got a seriously strong team, packed with competitive icons who are ready to defend our title. The lads are buzzing to get out there in Bangkok and keep that Icons Trophy in English hands.”
Thomas Bjørn, Team World Captain: “I’ve been a teammate of Danny’s before, but there won’t be any friendly behavior this week. We have a group of proven winners – the very best footballers-turned-golfers in the world – and we are coming to Bangkok with a point to prove. My job is to make sure we channel that professional instinct to get the win.”
While the matchplay format promises drama from hole to hole, it is the $10M Swing that dominates attention. One perfect strike could instantly make history, creating a hole-in-one with a prize that remains without comparison anywhere else in golf.
How to watch the Reignwood Icons of Football
The Reignwood Icons of Football takes place 31 January – 1 February at Robinswood Golf Course, Reignwood Park, Bangkok. Fans worldwide can watch live via the Icons Series YouTube channel, with highlights and extended coverage also available through international broadcast partners, including Sky Sports in the UK. The $10M Swing tee-off is scheduled for Saturday in front of both on-site fans and the global broadcast audience.
