As spring approaches and the PGA and LPGA tours gear up for their 2024 seasons, golf enthusiasts have much to anticipate. Capital One’s The Match, scheduled for Monday, will kick off the season with an exciting showdown featuring Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang.
Taking place at The Park, a municipal course in West Palm Beach, Florida, this ninth edition of The Match follows the evening and under-the-lights format of its predecessor, featuring pro golfers rather than celebrity athletes.
A notable twist for this edition is the inclusion of both male and female golfers competing in a mixed skins format, marking a first for The Match. Despite its charitable focus, the event promises plenty of excitement for fans.
The Match 9 will see Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson, and Rose Zhang facing off on Monday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m. ET at The Park in West Palm Beach. The format will be a 12-hole skins game, with TNT, truTV, and HLN airing the event alongside B/R Sports Add-On on Max for live streaming.
Charity proceeds from The Match 9 will benefit the First Tee, an organization dedicated to empowering children through golf. Each hole will carry a designated dollar amount for charity, with the highest-earning golfer declared the winner after 12 holes.
Unlike previous editions featuring team play, this event will be individual-focused. While all competitors will tee off from the same spot on par-3 holes, variations in tee positions and yardages will add complexity to the competition.
Despite the unique format, the competitive banter and camaraderie characteristic of The Match are expected to be present. Lexi Thompson noted the relaxed yet competitive atmosphere, emphasizing the enjoyment among participants.
The lineup boasts formidable talent, with McIlroy, Thompson, Homa, and Zhang all possessing championship pedigrees. McIlroy, a seasoned veteran with experience in The Match, holds a slight edge in familiarity with the format.
Although any of the four contenders could emerge victorious given the level playing field, McIlroy’s past experience suggests he may have a strategic advantage. With his familiarity with the event’s dynamics, McIlroy is predicted to secure the win in The Match 9.
Prediction: Rory McIlroy emerges as the victor in The Match 9.
