Woods vs McIlroy II

World No 1 Tiger Woods and two-time major winner Rory McIlroy will square off again in 'The Match at Mission Hills' on Oct 28 - their second head-to-head 18-hole showdown in China.

The event will be held at the par-73 Blackstone Course , part of the 180-hole Mission Hills Resort in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Island.

Although Woods is familiar with the Mission Hills resorts in Shenzhen and Dongguan, 'The Match at Mission Hills' will mark the 14-time major winner's first trip to Hainan.

"The Match at Mission Hills should be a great contest in a great setting in Haikou, and I'm excited about playing there for the first time," said Woods.

"I've heard a lot of good things about Blackstone, so it should be a great course for the rematch with Rory, who I know has played there before in the World Cup."

Woods, 37, admits he's eager to rebound from his one-stroke loss to McIlroy in Zhengzhou last October, when the American was ranked world No 2 behind McIlroy, whose five wins in 2012 included a second major at the PGA Championship.

"I'm hoping to win this time," Woods said. "We both played well last year, but Rory got me by one. I've had a really good year on the PGA Tour, so it would be nice to earn another trophy in China."

McIlroy, 24 and the world No 4, said he's ready for the challenge of taking on Woods and the Northern Irishman hopes his experience at Blackstone will give him an edge.

"Tiger has played the better golf this year, but I feel like I'm getting my game back again and I enjoy any challenge, especially against Tiger," he said.

"I'm ready for another showdown," said McIlroy, who shot a bogey-free 67 to edge Woods last year.

(China Daily 09/18/2013 page24)