Orlando (USA): Confirming the impression first gathered during his visit to Delhi earlier this year, Tiger Woods was on Monday unveiled as the global face of Hero Motorcorp in what is initially a four-year relationship worth several million dollars.Making the announcement here on Monday, company vice-chairman and managing director of the world’s largest motorcycle maker, Pawan Munjal, said, “As of today, we are in a global relationship with Tiger Woods. He will partner us in our push to give the company a worldwide presence.”
Though he did not directly reply to a question on the matter, Munjal suggested that the 14-time Major winner would at some point in the near future be seen in action at the Indian Open, which Hero Motorcorp sponsors.“The deal does not mean he has to take part in every Indian Open, but it is open-ended. It is after all the ‘Indian Open’,” Munjal said, smiling.
The 2015 edition of the Indian Open is expected to be played at the Delhi Golf Club in February next year.
Four years ago, Woods saw his relationship with US-based global giants end in the wake of a personal controversy, but Munjal was more than pleased to suggest that the world had moved on since then.“We are absolutely thrilled to be in a partnership with Tiger Woods. Hero and Tiger together represent the best in our respective professions,” Munjal said.
“Whatever happened is now behind him. He went public, apologised for what has happened and he is back in the game. People are back with him, many corporates are back with him. Very large corporates are backing him and obviously Hero took a very conscious call.
“We will be very shortly starting to promote the brand Hero with Tiger across the world. I believe this is huge, not just for me or an Indian company, but in general,” Munjal, whose company will also support Woods’ World Challenge invitational tournament beginning here from Thursday, added.
