Kodak and PGA TOUR release 2011 Kodak Challenge Schedule

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Kodak and the PGA TOUR today announced the schedule of holes for the third year of the Kodak Challenge, which begins this week on The Plantation Course at Kapalua at the seasonopening Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Maui, HI. The Kodak Challenge, won by Troy Merritt in 2010, will visit 30 tournaments in 2011 en route to crowning its $1 million champion.

KODAK

2011 Schedule
2010: Merritt wins
2010 Standings

The Kodak Challenge will once again highlight many of golf's most exciting and picturesque holes in 2011 as players take on "the greatest scorecard in golf." From the breathtaking 18th hole this week at The Plantation Course at Kapalua and the one-of-a-kind 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, to the fabulous finishing holes at Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and Bay Hill, the Kodak Challenge provides fans and players a unique and compelling competition within a competition.

The Kodak Challenge schedule includes 26 of the 30 holes from the 2010 season. The RBC Canadian Open and The Barclays will debut new Kodak Challenge holes in 2011 as the tournaments visit new tournament venues. The Farmers Insurance Open moves to a new Kodak Challenge hole this year, the 570-yard, par-5 18th on the Torrey Pines South Course. Twenty-nine of the 30 Kodak Challenge tournaments for 2011 have been finalized. An announcement on the 30th tournament will be made in the near future.

Created to celebrate the beautiful holes and memorable moments in golf, the Kodak Challenge is a first-of-its-kind competition on the PGA TOUR. Players must play at least 18 of 30 Kodak Challenge holes throughout the season to qualify. The golfer with the best Kodak Challenge score relative to par at the end of the season will win the Kodak Challenge trophy and $1 million.

"Troy Merritt's thrilling sudden death playoff victory at the conclusion of the 2010 season capped off a great year for the Kodak Challenge. We're confident that this year's schedule once again offers players the opportunity to participate and move up the leaderboard, while showcasing to fans many of golf's truly great holes," said Steve Powell, director of program development for the Kodak Challenge.

Merritt won the 2010 Kodak Challenge in a sudden-death playoff on No. 17 at the Children's Miracle Network Classic. Merritt defeated Rickie Fowler and Aaron Baddeley in a one-hole playoff at Walt Disney World Resort's Magnolia Course in Lake Buena Vista, FL, to capture the Kodak Challenge trophy and the winner-take-all $1 million prize.

"The PGA TOUR is thrilled with its partnership with Kodak and we look for continued growth of the Kodak Challenge in its third year," said Tom Wade, PGA TOUR executive vice-president and chief marketing officer.

2011 Kodak Challenge season starts at The Plantation Course at Kapalua
For the third consecutive year, the Kodak Challenge begins its competition at one of the PGA TOUR's most distinctive closing holes, No. 18 at The Plantation Course at Kapalua, home of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

The 663-yard, par-5 is among the longest holes on the PGA TOUR. Despite its length, the picturesque hole plays downhill and often downwind, giving long-hitters ample opportunity to reach the green in two. Last year, Paul Casey and Sean O'Hair posted the first Kodak Challenge eagles of the 2010 season on the 18th at The Plantation Course at Kapalua.

Kodak's marketing partnership with the TOUR includes the designation as Official Imaging Provider of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, including cameras, printers and scanners. For more on the Kodak Challenge visit pgatour.com/kodakchallenge. Fans can also follow the Kodak Challenge at facebook.com/kodakchallenge, and twitter.com/kodakchallenge.