Rory McIlroyHarry How/Getty Images
As we approach the spring season, golf enthusiasts have much to look forward to with the commencement of the 2024 PGA and LPGA tours. To kick off the excitement, Capital One’s The Match will host a captivating four-player showdown featuring Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang.
The upcoming ninth edition of The Match will be held at The Park in West Palm Beach, Florida, a course affiliated with the municipality. Similar to the previous event that showcased Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry, this match will take place in the evening, illuminated by vibrant lights.
While The Match is returning to its roots by featuring professional golfers rather than celebrities, this edition will introduce a unique twist. It will be the first time male and female golfers will compete in a mixed skins format, adding a refreshing element to the competition.
Although The Match primarily serves as a charity event, it is anticipated to deliver a thrilling experience for golf fans.
The Match 9
Who: Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang
When: Monday, February, 26
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: The Park in West Palm Beach
Format: 12-Hole Skins Game
TV and Live Stream: TNT, truTV and HLN, B/R Sports Add-On on Max
The charitable beneficiary of The Match 9 will be the First Tee, an organization that empowers children through golf. Each hole in the skins competition will carry a specific dollar value for charity, with the golfer accumulating the most funds after 12 holes emerging as the victor.
Unlike previous editions that featured team play, this event will be an individual competition. The four competitors will tee off from the same positions for the par-3 holes, while the remaining holes will offer varying tees and yardages for men and women.
Despite the shift in format, the essence and camaraderie of The Match will be preserved.
“It’s not a regular tournament where it’s all individual and you can kind of trash talk, and you’ve got the mics on. It’s a good group of us so it’ll be a good time,” Thompson shared, according to Sarah Kellam of LPGA.com.
With the unique format leveling the playing field, each competitor enters with an equal chance of success, given their championship-caliber skills. McIlroy, a four-time Major champion and 24-time PGA winner, continues to be a prominent figure in the sport. Thompson, an 11-time LPGA Tour victor, and Homa, with six PGA victories, are equally impressive. Zhang, a rising star in the sport, celebrated her first LPGA win at the 2023 Mizuho Americas Open.