The latest episode of 'The Match' promises to be a star-studded spectacle, albeit not in the traditional sense. This time, there won't be any professional golfers gracing the course.
Instead, celebrities and athletes from various sports will compete against each other in an exciting new format. The exhibition series, which began in 2018, has hosted nine matches so far, with the majority featuring professional golfers.
However, this two-night event, commencing on Thursday, Nov. 21 and concluding on Friday, November 22, will see eight celebrities vying for a hefty $1 million prize. The opening night's roster includes actor Bill Murray and NHL icon Wayne Gretzky squaring off against NBA legend Charles Barkley and 13-time MLB All-Star Ken Griffey Jr.
Subsequently, actor Mark Wahlberg and Olympic hero Michael Phelps will challenge comedian Nate Bargatze and current NBA player Blake Griffin. The victorious teams will then compete in the semi-finals, culminating in a final showdown between two celebrities for the $1 million reward.
Fear not, golf enthusiasts - the customary competition between professional golfers hasn't been abandoned. The 'Showdown', touted as the PGA Tour vs.
LIV Golf, is still scheduled for Dec. 17 amid ongoing rivalry and merger discussions between the two leagues.
PGA's Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler are poised to go head-to-head with LIV's Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau at Shadow Creek Golf Course, where the inaugural edition of 'The Match' took place.
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Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson initially locked horns at the dazzling Las Vegas course in Nevada, where Mickelson emerged victorious in the first-ever contest. As the second edition rolled out, it featured NFL icons, with Tom Brady bolstering Woods' team, while Mickelson found an ally in Peyton Manning.
Since then, seven more contests have showcased a line-up of sports legends, including Stephen Curry, Charles Barkley, Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, and Travis Kelce. An unprecedented turn of events took place on June 29, 2023, when 'The Match' was held without pro golfers on the greens for the inaugural time.
This particular round saw Kansas City Chiefs' own Mahomes and Kelce take on former teammates of the Golden State Warriors, Curry and Klay Thompson. The event resonated with fans far and wide, its success further fuelling the raging trend of Pro-Am tournaments and star-studded golf showdowns.
'The Match' is synonymous with cash prizes and boasting rights, but come December, when McIlroy and Scheffler duel against Koepka and DeChambeau, no prize pot will be up for grabs they'll only pocket an appearance fee.
In a move towards reconciliation, McIlroy has branded this PGA Tour versus LIV Golf clash as a "goodwill event", with aspirations to quell the longstanding rift between the factions.
Amidst merger discussions, McIlroy lends his voice of unity, supported by Tiger Woods who holds a permanent seat on the PGA Tour Policy Board.
