Established in 2018, The Match is a set of match play golf games involving professional golfers and other athletes. In several versions, NFL quarterbacks have been featured, and that will be the case when the next iteration airs on June 1. What is the history of The Match, who has emerged victorious, and which NFL players will be involved in this year’s game?
The history of The Match
Nov. 23, 2018: Tiger vs. Phil
The first iteration of The Match pitted Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson — arguably the two most famous golfers in the world — against each other. Jack Whigham and Bryan Zuriff, both of whom worked in Hollywood, founded the event. Woods and Mickelson played match golf for a $9 million prize, portions of which would go to charity.
After 18 holes at the Shadow Creek Golf Course in North Las Vegas, Nevada, Woods and Mickelson were tied. They were forced into extra holes, with Mickelson eventually winning on the 22nd hole. The golfers also made side bets totaling $1.8 million, with that money going to charity as well.
May 24, 2020: Champions for Charity
Eighteen months later, Woods and Mickelson decided to forge a rematch. This time, however, each golfer brought along an NFL quarterback for the Medalist Gold Club in Hobe Sound, Florida. Woods was paired with former QB Peyton Manning, while Mickelson teamed with Tom Brady.
The group played four-ball golf, which is a form of best ball. Each golfer played their own ball throughout each hole, but the team only used the lower of the two players’ scores. Woods and Manning defeated Mickelson and Brady by one hole, and the Champions for Charity event raised more than $20 million for COVID-19 efforts.
Nov. 27, 2020: Champions for Change
Later in 2020, Mickelson was back for another round, this time with former NBA player Charles Barkley as his partner. Woods wasn’t involved in the Champions for Change, so Mickelson and Barkley faced off against Manning and NBA star Steph Curry.
Barkley played from his “Chuck tees,” which were typically 50-75 yards ahead of the other players. While it was a closely-fought American foursome-style battle, Mickelson and Barkley eventually walked away with a four-and-three victory. The event helped raise more than $6 million for historically black colleges and universities.
July 6, 2021: The Match IV
The Match IV, played at The Reserve at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, went back to the “pro golfer/NFL quarterback” format. Mickelson played with Brady, while Aaron Rodgers teamed with pro golfer Bryson DeChambeau.
The competition deployed a “greensome” format where each team used one ball and took alternating shots. Rodgers and DeChambeau took the three-and-two victory over Mickelson and Brady.
Nov. 6, 2021: Bryson vs. Brooks
DeChambeau squared off against his rival, Brooks Koepka, at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas in the fifth edition of The Match. Koepka won the event, although there was a bit of score discrepancy based on a conceded putt.
The two golfers used the same format as Woods and Mickelson did in the original iteration, but they shortened the game to just 12 holes. DeChambeau and Koepka also held several on-course competitions — including “closest to the hole” and “longest drive” — that led to money for their respective charities.
June 1, 2022: The Match VI
This year’s The Match will once again take place at the Wynn Golf Club, but it will be the first not to feature any pro golfers. Instead, Brady and Rodgers will face Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
The all-QB match will use a “shamble” format. In this type of game, players will use the team’s best drive but then are required to get to the hole on their own. In The Match, only the best score for each team will be counted.