Rory McIlroy claimed the ninth edition of The Match on Monday evening at The Park Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The 34-year-old won 10 skins between 12 holes and a sudden death closest-to-the-pin competition to earn a cool $2.4 million. Lexi Thompson came in second with two skins, totaling $200,000, while Max Homa and Rose Zhang failed to win a single skin. All proceeds went to charity.
McIlroy's victory comes with a smidge of redemption as he and Tiger Woods were blown out the water by Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in the seventh iteration of this charity exhibition. After winning his fourth skin and going up by $300,000 over Thompson, Rory told the broadcast that he hoped to put together a better effort tonight.
That's exactly what he accomplished. McIlroy found himself down early when Thompson made an eagle on the par-4 2nd to collect two skins for $200,000. McIlroy's second straight birdie was matched by Homa on the third, but the four-time major champion had no equal in the one-club challenge on the par-4 4th.
Utilizing his 5 wood, McIlroy sautƩed his second from roughly 175 yards just off the right side of the green before getting up and down for par to collect two skins and pull even with Thompson in terms of money.
Rory's birdie two holes later on No. 6 came with $300,000 as skins amounts were increased every four holes. McIlroy kept the cadence of winning every two holes after birdies were exchanged between himself and Zhang on the tricky seventh. Ā
McIlroy needed just a par on the eighth hole to secure a pair of skins. Thompson and Zhang failed to get up and down, while Homa 3-putted from just outside 16 feet for bogey. McIlroy's skin total rose to six, while his earnings grew to $800,000.
No blood was drawn across the next four holes setting up the pivotal 12th worth $1.6 million stemming from three carried-over skins, an increased $500,000 final hole, and a last-minute $500,000 charitable donation on top. All four players made birdie meaning a closest-to-the-hole competition from 100 yards was required to determine a winner.
Fittingly, McIlroy was the one to strike the first blow; he blasted the initial shot to 4 feet, 2 inches from the pin. Homa, Thompson and Zhang were unable to better that effort giving McIlroy the winning bracelet.
On the night, McIlroy made six birdies. Perhaps he will take something from his victoryĀ as he is set to play this week down the street at PGA National in the 2024 Cognizant Classic.
"I've played pretty well tonight and hit some pretty good shots," said McIlroy. "Hopefully that carries over into the next few days as well."
And we are going to extras. It will be a closest to the pin competition from 100 yards to crown a champ. $1.6 million is on the line meaning Max Homa and Rose Zhang are an iron shot away from winning a skins match without winning a single hole. Golf.
The last hole is worth $1.6 million meaning whoever wins the final hole will be your champion. It would be hilarious if Max Homa somehow pulled this off since he hasn't been in a hole for the last hour.
No blood on No. 10 which means the 11th is worth $600,000. A win from Lexi would pull her even with Rory so there's still a chance this could get interesting. Rose and Homa somehow aren't out of this either, but they need to run the table and win the last two to tie Rory's current total.
The 10th hole will be worth $400,000 as Rose Zhang missed out on a chance to get on the board with a short birdie miss. Rory leads the way with $800,000 so if he wins this, this thing will be over. Lexi Thompson is the only other player with money with $200,000.
He takes the 6th hole with an easy birdie on an approach shot he hit to 2 feet. Won $300K to get to $500K overall. He's $300K up on Lexi and up $500K on Max and Rose. He said he got up and down from a place where "even Chuck could have gotten up and down." lol
Rory hits it closest to the hole on the par-3 5th to take $100K, but everybody makes par so the skin rolls over to the sixth hole.
Rory makes par with his 5-wood on the fourth hole to take two skins and tie Lexi with $200K. He got up and down from off the green for par. Only Rose had a chance of tying it, and she left her par putt short of the hole.
Alright, players will use just one club on the par-4 4th. Lexi has a 4 iron, Rory has a 5 wood, Max has a 7 wood and Rose has a 4 hybrid. Max complained the 4 hybrid is the same as the 4 iron (which I agree with), but he ultimately caved. Max and Rose's back-and-forth has been low-key hilarious as they keep going at each other.
So good.
Lexi Thompson takes home the first two skins with an eagle putt on the second hole, a drivable par 4. It was a good (not great) drive, and the putt she made was extraordinary.
After a 3-putt on No. 1, Lexi Thompson redeems herself with an eagle on the drivable par-4 2nd. She grabs two skins with her eagle and leads the bunch with $200,000. They now head to a par 3 where all four players will tee off from the same tee box.
Max Homa and Rose Zhang both make birdie on No. 1 meaning No. 2 will be worth a couple skins ($200,000). Homa already has a ton of fans, but he will surely add some more tonight with a microphone in his face the entire night.
Match 9 (holy hell, I am old) is about to get going. The format is 12 holes of skins with each hole representing a different amount of $$$. The player who wins the most money by the end of the competition is your winner. I'm going with Lexi Thompson because whyĀ not.
I would watch a mini documentary on this. Truly, I have no idea how it happened or when it took place. He seems to be a staple of the game now. I don't know why.
